Punt and Dennis Ploughing on Regardless Review
Punt and Dennis
Ploughing on Regardless
Birmingham Town Hall
26 February 2014
Reviewed by Jane Hopkins M.B.E
I’ve thought for some time that comedy double acts are in short supply, whereas a few years back they were commonplace, lately they have been somewhat of a rare breed. So I was delighted to get the chance to go and see two comedians, who I used to watch on TV years ago, live at the impressive Birmingham Town Hall.
I did wonder at the title; ‘Ploughing on Regardless’ and was expecting a resume of their lives. Since the 80’s, Punt and Dennis have generated staying power on both TV and radio, between them having been involved in The Mary Whitehouse experience, the hit comedy Outnumbered, Mock the Week, The Now Show, and more but they have never quite reached the dizzy heights of star status.
However, the title was in fact a nod to our British weather, the backdrop for much of the show being a silhouette of the pair stood in water, more like a flood. Quite apt really.
They retold their unique observations of idiosyncrasies of the plethora of digital TV channels, poking fun at the news when in the midst of winter and the UK is covered in snow, asking viewers to send in snow pictures, or making the absurdity of everyday situations hilarious. I guarantee the next time the audience are out shopping they’ll take more notice of conversations, have you ever heard a child ask his Dad in Sainsbury’s whether Lego has a silent “t” as in Merlot? Or ever heard a husband ask his wife if they “need parmesan for both houses, Darling?”. The mind boggles.
The stage was simply set; it was our double act (strangely) stood behind microphone stands, whilst also having microphones attached. And a large screen backdrop aided their sketches. Hugh Dennis was sharply suited and took on the role of prop user and punch line delivery, whilst Steve Punt, always armed with a clipboard, took on the majority of the speech, playing narrator, with Dennis’ well timed interjections releasing the laughs from the audience.
The basic format of the show was an observation followed by a sketch, mostly acted by Dennis in his innocent, childlike manner that makes his actions more than the dialogue win the most laughs. He plays to the audience and shows off aptly, especially when a prop is involved or a character required an over the top representation, which often resulted in him being reprimanded from Punt, like a small child, which only further endeared him to the audience.
Dennis is particularly practised in the art of physical displays. His impressions of winter sports was excellent and his portrayal of how the Danes celebrated the signing of the treaty of Rome was inspiring, they told us “in Denmark they gave away free buns”…he strutted in a wide circle with a German accent talking about his buns, and stroking his buttocks…
The Birmingham Town Hall, being the impressive venue that it is, was packed out and laughs from all were throughout the show.
Personally I would have liked some more on-topic comedy, especially with reference to the weather and the flooding. We British are adept at finding humour in the worst situations and I would have liked them to find some. Although the opening sketches about the vast amount of digital TV we have was entertaining, it was nothing we hadn’t noticed ourselves. But their observations of film certification was enjoyable, giving examples of warnings such as “warning, contains scenes of mild peril” at the beginning of Finding Nemo – who knew that! And Dennis’ portrayal of a dinosaur was simply superb.
I would recommend going to see them before the tour ends, especially for those who know Punt and Dennis from old. It was an enjoyable and entertaining evening in a wonderful setting, enjoyed by us all.
Rating: 5/5 
For other shows at the Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham visit www.thsh.co.uk.
