We sat, incredibly smugly it must be said, in the best seats in the house (turns out it is all about who you know – in our case Alan Davies, author of My Favourite People). Far enough away from the front so we didn’t get drawn into the warm up act (also crucially away from the swooping crane camera) but directly opposite the panel.
It was the 7th episode in the series and Stephen Fry kicked off by asking the audience to think of an interesting word beginning with G. I noticed the audience shift uncomfortably in their seats. It had all become worryingly interactive very early on. I wondered whether I was the only one sweating slightly as all known words floated out of brain. All words that is apart from the word 'green'. How original. Feelings of said smugness disappeared rapidly.
Luckily our host put us out of our misery and chose ‘gallimaufry’ (Yes I was clueless too – clearly he’d had time to prepare) and asked us to shout out the word so he could record it on his phone and upload it for his Twitter followers. With the audience nicely warmed up/feeling suitably humbled, Stephen introduced the theme of the episode – the gothic and his guests; Jack Dee, Jimmy Carr, Sue Perkins and of course Alan Davies. The latter fully decked out in Viking gear.
Cameras rolling, the five comedians wisecracked for 2 hours on the macabre (with only the occasional interruption by Stephen Fry, ‘Hang on, hang on, shhhh please … I’ve got a man who comes in my ear you see. No no no no! Talks! Talks in my ear’ as the producer gave feedback).
Customised coffins in the shape of giant red chillies and Air Canada planes particularly fuelled Jack Dee’s irritation, ‘There’s nothing worse than being inconvenient when you’re dead.’ And the disturbing revelation about a company that offers a webcam service in coffins so you can watch people rot brought to light Alan’s fear, ‘I am quite scared of being buried alive’.
Stopping for a 5 minute toilet break for Jimmy, the panel were absolute pros only needing one pick-up at the end of the set. Two hours passed in a flash and soon us yellow wrist bands wearers were led into the Green Room where we helped ourselves to the beer and wine on offer but stayed well clear of the dreary assortment of appetisers including what we thought could be sausage on a stick but could have equally been potato.
Most of our time was spent chatting to Alan who joked that he'd only just realised half of Penguin are following him on twitter and know exactly how many words he’s done each day ( http://twitter.com/alandavies1). A memoir of growing up in the 80s, he genuinely sounded like he wanted the book to be as good as it could be (although he seemed a bit stuck on 1988 – suggestions anyone?) He admitted that You Tube had been initially helpful in kick starting memories but had recently turned into an addiction with all night binges taking over.
A very heavily made up Jimmy Carr bounced over to say hello to The Penguins saying thank you for publishing his book all those years ago and earning him some well needed cash. As if reading our thoughts Alan commented as Jimmy disappeared, ‘He doesn’t normally wear that much eyeliner. I mean he does wear a lot but maybe he wanted to bring out the goth theme.'
A remarkably chirpy Jack Dee appeared from nowhere (I was mute at this point for fear of saying something totally ridiculous and getting a scathing response) and entertained us with stories about the annoying questions journalists have asked him in the past.
‘What are these?’ Alan said, pointing to what we thought could be sausage on a stick but could have equally been potato. He took a mouthful, ‘Ah! Ugh. Potato. Disappointing.’
On that note we left Alan with the gallimaufry of appetisers (see what I did there? Stephen Fry would be so proud) and headed home.
Ruth Spencer
Commercial Marketing Manager
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