Julian Clary

Lord of the Mince

Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple

Review: Paul Harper

ANYONE expecting outrageous comedian Julian Clary to have toned down his performance after turning 50 would have been disappointed at the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple.

Clary told the audience to expect a reference to a sexual act in every joke — and he stuck to his word.

The camp comic brought his sell-out show the Lord of the Mince to North Devon and proved as entertaining as ever.

And he had clearly done his homework about Barnstaple.

"It is just as lovely as it appears on the television," he said. "Secret Millionaire, you must be proud."

Roller skating into the arena wearing a dazzling pink suit, he quickly revealed how he felt reaching the half-century milestone, "I was surprised; I thought I was 32."

During the 1990s Clary was one of the most famous entertainers on British television until, he admits, an ill-timed joke about Norman Lamont at an awards show sent his career into freefall.

But while he may not be such a celebrity nowadays, the showman has been growing old gracefully, ditching alcohol and other habits and leading a healthy life on a farm in Kent (next door to Paul O'Grady who was a frequent target of his jokes during the evening).

Clary has even finally settled down with partner. "The secret to any relationship is space," he revealed. "His is called Wolverhampton."

Fans of Clary were lapping up his openness. It was all going swimmingly until smoke began billowing from one of the stage lights and briefly halted the proceedings.

"Is there a lesbian in the wings?" shrieked Clary.

The stand-up promised more entertainment after the interval and duly delivered.

He even found time to read a copy of the

Journal

.

"I won't hear one word about Barnstaple and there being nothing to do," was his verdict.

Clary picked two brave members of the public and explored his new found, albeit questionable psychic powers.

He finished his show with a song, which ended: "Fifty and still going strong."

After two hours of his trademark colourful and often inappropriate humour, nobody was about to disagree.