On Friday 27th April, Dan and I went to the Palace Theatre in Southend to see Richard Herring perform his show ‘Talking Cock – The Second Coming‘. I’ve been a fan of Herring for many years, watching ‘Fist of Fun’ and ‘This Morning with Richard Not Judy’ as a teenager, right up to his recent stand up shows.
His last three shows have covered a fair range of topics, Hitler, Jesus and Love, and he is tackling Penii! Talking Cock is essentially a male version of ‘The Vagina Monologues’, it’s a reworked and updated version of his 2002 show.
A large amount of the material within the show actually comes from two questionnaires on his website, one for men, and the other for women, which give a telling insight into our attitudes towards the Right Honourable Member of Fuckinghamshire’, the purple headed womb broom, the spam javelin etc. The anonymity of the questionnaire gives an honest, and sometimes depressing way in how something so small (er large!) thing can affect the life of its owner.
The way Richard handles the facts, figures and ‘cockfessions’ in the show is utterly brilliant, he can have the audience roaring with laughter in one minute, and command a sombre, thoughtful silence in the next. There was very little ad-libbing, or veering off-course, it’s a slick and well rehearsed routine, that had the Southend audience captivated. Herring asked the audience to tweet him during the interval with any Penis based questions or anecdotes which provided an interesting, improvised opening to the second half.
The entire show flew by and I was amazed that the time had passed so quickly, I was very disappointed when the show came to an end. Thankfully Richard was immediately in the foyer of the theatre ready to sell his wares and meet and greet his fans, or to sign their programs / DVD’s. I must admit to feeling a little giddy that he knows me from sight (I’m such a geek!), he scribbled on my DVD and was as charming as always. Top bloke! Dan and I scuttled off into the night, both impressed with the show and saying it was the best one of his we’d seen!
The tour is over halfway through now, but if he’s coming to a town near you, I urge you to go see it, if he’s not, check out the fabulous podcast he’s been recording whilst on tour. Maybe even buy the DVD when it’s out later in the year!
