Lee Mack: Hit the Road Mack Tour, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Review
Lee Mack: Hit the Road Mack
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
8-12 September 2014
Reviewed by Claire Humpidge
2 nights ago my husband and I went along to the 3rd night of the brilliant Lee Mack’s 2014 tour. ‘Hit the Road Mack’ sees the multi-award winning star of Not Going Out and Would I Lie To You? back on the road with his first live tour in 4 years, taking in 80+ nights across the UK.
The show we saw was at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham. The theatre is a great setting and the staff were extremely helpful. Looking around the auditorium, it looked to be a sell-out, and I’d noticed a lot of hype on social media channels in the days running up to the show. We had great seats with a fabulous view of the stage and easy access to the bar!
The support act, Mike Gunn, was very funny. A real dry sense of humour, he had us in stitches. Being totally honest, I wasn’t familiar with him beforehand, although looking at his biog I’ve no idea how I’ve missed him and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for him in future.
As for Lee Mack himself – his energetic, quick witted humour was hilarious. I’ve always found him funny on TV in Would I lie to You? and Not Going Out (especially considering sitcoms aren’t anywhere near as popular as they once were), and was really pleased to see that he is equally at home performing stand up. His act is traditional stand up in many ways, quite visual, and reminiscent of great comedy classics like Morecombe and Wise. We loved the fact that each night will have unique elements – he made lots of references specific to Birmingham, and engaged with the audience, offering people an opportunity to shout out questions and provided improv comedy in reply.
I won’t provide any spoilers, but some of the high points for me were Irish names; head or ball; butterfly stroke; and the triumphant, truly magical, finale!
Tickets were priced at £27.50 + £3 transaction fee. Bar drinks were quite pricey (1 x pint of lager and 1 x white wine spritzer + 2 x cookies was £13.50), although this was in line with what I’d expect to pay in a theatre. All things considered, I’d say it was a good value evening – we’ve got 3 young children, so don’t get many opportunities to be out just the two of us, so this was a fabulous date night, and a great alternative to a meal or cinema trip. And you know what they say… couples who laugh together, stay together!
I’d definitely recommend getting your hands on some tour tickets for a great night out – the tour spans the length and breadth of the UK and runs up until 22nd December.
Rating: 4/5
Lee Mack is on tour until 22 December 2014. For more information, tour dates or to book tickets visit www.leemacklive.com.
For other shows at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham visit www.thsh.co.uk.
Symphony Hall. 32 Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2EA | 0121 345 0600
