REVIEW: Natalie Broadbent natalie.broadbent@archant.co.uk THE name Jim Davidson brings back memories of a larger than life man presenting shows such as Big Break and The Generation Game. And although the British comedian has graced our television screens

REVIEW: Natalie Broadbent

natalie.broadbent@archant.co.uk

THE name Jim Davidson brings back memories of a larger than life man presenting shows such as Big Break and The Generation Game.

And although the British comedian has graced our television screens and stages across the country since then, I have failed to notice.

However, the man with the OBE was back at the Gordon Craig Theatre last week with his latest show, The Devil Rides Out.

I sat in the audience and I was a little apprehensive having been informed that 54-year-old Davidson was, to say the least, a little rude.

And, I can confirm this is true.

However, take away the bad language, and the hecklers who thought they were entertaining by shouting out, and the show was actually quite funny.

Davidson has such a stage presence and energy, he keeps you engaged for the whole show.

Unfortunately the venue was a little uncomfortable and cold.

Most of the audience kept their coats on for the whole show.

Davidson picked up on this and used it as a good opening, also poking fun at the basic lighting and surroundings.

He soon made up for our discomfort with a few witty jokes, but the majority of the show was made up of observations of real life, which the mainly middle-aged audience nodded in agreement with.

Davidson also decided to explain his actions on September's Hell's Kitchen which he was booted out of for 'bullying' Brian Dowling - not true he says.

He had a number of very good points about the way we live our lives here in England and was quick to pick out the country's faults.

It wasn't hard to see why the comic has continually bounced back from bad press coverage - he really is a natural performer.

I won't be rushing out to buy the latest Davidson DVD, but I have to say I was impressed, and my opinion of the comedian has changed somewhat.

A very truthful show, but not for the easily offended.