Happy Boosh day
What a night! Arrived early to get some merchandise to find only one person serving. Between Kerry and I, we racked up an impressive £46 on 2 mugs (no jokes please), 2 t-shirts and a programme. Later at both the half-time break and at the end, the merchandise stall was so busy with at least 3 people deep buying stuff as if there was a famine of comedy sized proportions going on. No support came during that time for the poor single stall holder.
As I've been bragging, we really did have the best seats in the house and a few times had eye contact with the Boosh getting some quality photos. Next to us were the most dedicated fans I've ever seen making Rocky Horror show look like a fancy dress cop-out. The detail of their costumes was impressive. Both were dressed in the Zoonivese green jackets with the Vince Noir character played by electro-girl and Howard Moon by a lanky fella who I couldn't look at without cracking up. Even his hair was similar though couldn't quite manage the pathetic moustache Mr Moon had perfected. Still, you had to salute these people's obsession to the point of growing their hair and searching the ends-of-the-earth for the exact look. Other notable fans were a number of poncho wearers and my favourite, a guy bringing in a coconut decorated like those from the last episode of TV Boosh series 2. Otherwise the buzz of the rest of the audience had a teenage over-excitement which had its moments of slight annoyance later.
As the glam-rock warm-up music died down, the famous pair walked on stage to a heroes' welcome with Noel quickly commenting on the Guildhall's size being the longest room ever. Both introduced each other with impeccable banter and witty retorts, improvising as they went along to the point of duelling. This theme continued as they introduced the other key players with Naboo, Bollo and, of course Bob Fossil, who surprised everyone appearing at the back of the audience. Once on stage he performed his 10CC "I don't like cricket dance" which brought the house down.
During the introduction an obsessive fan threw 2 pairs of sequinned kickers on the stage, one pair falling short then me handing the pants to Noel! The duo took it in their stride and wore their new clothing additions much to the delirious delight of the mega-fan behind me who giddily laughed at nearly word spoken by the cast.
The 'real' show kicks off just after Howard Moon's Russian mini-drama (involving a pie) bringing in familiar music and dance routines from the TV show, again receiving cheers from the crowd. Vince and Howard work in Naboo's shop which sells antiques, jazz records and wigs from Vince's real hair. More mini-dance routines to stereo-type their characters such as Vince's 'I am electro-boy' and Howard's jazz-trance before more characters add to the plot which sees Naboo being killed by the Hitcher, who Howard let escape from a prison box which had been brought in by a customer. Bollo sets the pair off on a mission to find a magical ruby that can bring Naboo back to life which could either be in Spain or the Arctic Tundra. Again familiar comedic territory for fans with poncho jokes and the 'isolation' song/dance.
One of my favourite characters, the psychedelic priest (played by Julian Barratt) got wheeled on to divert Vince's mission direction which received more cheers. His outfit was complete with Afro and mini-door plus his false teeth causing some speech trouble.
The spangly kickers re-appeared on Howard Moon again, this time showing his bare arse and naked spindly legs with the obsessive fan behind me going into love adoration heckling over-drive!
I'm not going to give away much else but the Hitcher re-appears with some great lines relating to cockney references and how evil he could be. Oh, and there was a surprise character near the end which completed our grinning, laughing face workout. In summary, it was a pantomime of well-rehearsed sketches taken from the TV show patched together into a slick stage performance with ample space for on the spot improv.
As I've been bragging, we really did have the best seats in the house and a few times had eye contact with the Boosh getting some quality photos. Next to us were the most dedicated fans I've ever seen making Rocky Horror show look like a fancy dress cop-out. The detail of their costumes was impressive. Both were dressed in the Zoonivese green jackets with the Vince Noir character played by electro-girl and Howard Moon by a lanky fella who I couldn't look at without cracking up. Even his hair was similar though couldn't quite manage the pathetic moustache Mr Moon had perfected. Still, you had to salute these people's obsession to the point of growing their hair and searching the ends-of-the-earth for the exact look. Other notable fans were a number of poncho wearers and my favourite, a guy bringing in a coconut decorated like those from the last episode of TV Boosh series 2. Otherwise the buzz of the rest of the audience had a teenage over-excitement which had its moments of slight annoyance later.
As the glam-rock warm-up music died down, the famous pair walked on stage to a heroes' welcome with Noel quickly commenting on the Guildhall's size being the longest room ever. Both introduced each other with impeccable banter and witty retorts, improvising as they went along to the point of duelling. This theme continued as they introduced the other key players with Naboo, Bollo and, of course Bob Fossil, who surprised everyone appearing at the back of the audience. Once on stage he performed his 10CC "I don't like cricket dance" which brought the house down.
During the introduction an obsessive fan threw 2 pairs of sequinned kickers on the stage, one pair falling short then me handing the pants to Noel! The duo took it in their stride and wore their new clothing additions much to the delirious delight of the mega-fan behind me who giddily laughed at nearly word spoken by the cast.
The 'real' show kicks off just after Howard Moon's Russian mini-drama (involving a pie) bringing in familiar music and dance routines from the TV show, again receiving cheers from the crowd. Vince and Howard work in Naboo's shop which sells antiques, jazz records and wigs from Vince's real hair. More mini-dance routines to stereo-type their characters such as Vince's 'I am electro-boy' and Howard's jazz-trance before more characters add to the plot which sees Naboo being killed by the Hitcher, who Howard let escape from a prison box which had been brought in by a customer. Bollo sets the pair off on a mission to find a magical ruby that can bring Naboo back to life which could either be in Spain or the Arctic Tundra. Again familiar comedic territory for fans with poncho jokes and the 'isolation' song/dance.
One of my favourite characters, the psychedelic priest (played by Julian Barratt) got wheeled on to divert Vince's mission direction which received more cheers. His outfit was complete with Afro and mini-door plus his false teeth causing some speech trouble.
The spangly kickers re-appeared on Howard Moon again, this time showing his bare arse and naked spindly legs with the obsessive fan behind me going into love adoration heckling over-drive!
I'm not going to give away much else but the Hitcher re-appears with some great lines relating to cockney references and how evil he could be. Oh, and there was a surprise character near the end which completed our grinning, laughing face workout. In summary, it was a pantomime of well-rehearsed sketches taken from the TV show patched together into a slick stage performance with ample space for on the spot improv.
Comments
I can no longer claim the right to sing "I am electro boy"
laters
I saw your photos of the gig on flikr. They are absolutely amazing. Thanks for this rundown of the gig as well, and telling the tale of the sparkly pants that feature in your photos. I was wondering about what the story was there. Thanks very much for posting your excellent quality photos online. Cheers!
sekrit_screwdriver (on flikr)