Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up and Rock at the Grove Theatre Review
Jasper Carrott’s
Stand Up and Rock
Grove Theatre, Dunstable
24 May 2015
Reviewed by Natasha Kolb
We went to see Jasper Carrott at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable last night, it’s his first national tour since 1998. It’s been a while since we have visited the Grove and we had forgotten how much we liked this venue. It’s a very small theatre which makes it intimate and simply adds a buzz and excitement to the atmosphere with so many people in close proximity! I’ve commented before that the one downside to the Grove is limited seating around the bar in the foyer, however this time, we noticed an upstairs seating area that we didn’t realise was there! On asking, we discovered that the extra seating area is opened up on busy nights such as for this sell out production. Parking is close by to the theatre and is free after 6pm with good disabled access to the venue. The Grove is situated next to some lively bars in the heart of Dunstable but also leads onto a green which makes it pleasant to stand outside in the warmer weather prior to a performance.
Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up and Rock is exactly that… comedy and fantastic music! It’s travelling on a nationwide tour with over 40 dates left so there’s still plenty of chances to catch this show which I urge you to do! On researching the show I was to review, I discovered that not only was this a comedy show with the wonderful Jasper Carrott, he was joined by childhood friend and best mate to this day, Bev Bevan who was the drummer for The Move and ELO. Joining them on tour was the equally talented Geoff Turton (from the Rockin’ Berries), Phil Tree (The Move), Abby Brant (The Move) and as Jasper described her, their very own diva, Joy Strachan-Brain who Jasper and Bev ‘discovered’ in a folk band called Quill and encouraged them to join her on tour. Bev is now also the drummer for Quill. It’s so very clear that all members of this production have connections and chemistry making them seem extremely comfortable on stage, they’re obviously having as much fun as the audience!
This wonderful production consists of a laugh a second (never mind a minute) from the legendary man himself. Now aged 70, Jasper jokes about his age and the woes of getting old(er) and yet this funny man hasn’t ‘lost it’ in the slightest and is as hilarious and as quick witted as ever! Jasper Carrot treats us to a comedy set in each half of the show before introducing us to the band. They brilliantly play a range of songs from bands popular during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s including the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, ELO and a beautiful version of The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore by the Walker Brothers. Images of each band during their peak are projected onto the screen throughout the show and later on these become hilariously funny photos of Carrott and friends!
For me, the night was made extra special with Jasper Carrot’s return onto the stage to sing alongside the Bev Bevan Band resulting in a fabulous sing along finale! We all left with huge smiles still giggling away from the many jokes that had had us crying with laughter! What an absolutely wonderful night!
Tickets for this performance started at £26, a great price for such a top quality show. This gets an easy 5 out of 5!
Rating: 5/5 
Jasper Carrot is currently on tour around the UK. For more information, tour dates or to book tickets visit www.jaspercarrott.com.
For shows at the Grove Theatre visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk.
Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4GP | 01582 602080
