Review: Punt and Dennis at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Fresh from their continuing Now Show success, Punt and Dennis burst on to the stage at Shrewsbury last night in their Ploughing on Regardless tour.
The stand-up duo, who have been together as an act for almost 25 years after meeting at Cambridge University where both were students, played to a sell-out audience.
Some have previously criticised the nationwide tour, which kicked off on January 10 and continues until the end of February, as "weak", "moderately funny" and "old news" but none of this was in evidence when it rolled in to Shrewsbury.
Hugh Dennis, known for his role as frazzled dad, Pete, on TV's Outnumbered and Steve Punt, for his appearances on Would I Lie To You and Mock The Week, kept the Theatre Severn audience entertained for the best part of two hours.
Some may say their jokes were tired, or indeed "ploughing on regardless" of entertainment or comedic value, but the packed out 600-plus seat auditorium didn't agree and certainly didn't care.
And it seems the duo, who are in the 15th year producing and performing The Now Show on Radio 4, are the ones having the last laugh. Dennis, the son of a vicar who later became a Bishop, and Punt, the son of a civil servant, kept the audience entertained with a steady stream of gags.
They mocked Middle England, took swipes at Waitrose, Merlot and national statistics and despaired of Britain's under-performance in sport.
Among the delighted theatre-goers was Anne Hancock, 50, from Shrewsbury. Sitting in the circle with her husband Bill, 47, she said: "It is fantastic that Shrewsbury can attract such acts as Punt and Dennis. The show was brilliant. They were very, very funny. We have seen quite a few comedians and to see the big ones you usually need to go to other towns. It seems now they are coming to Shrewsbury."
Graham Bowman, 62, of Castlefields, Shrewsbury said: "It was a great evening. I have always found Punt and Dennis very entertaining on the radio but to see them here in Shrewsbury was wonderful."
It seems, from the Shrewsbury crowd at least, Punt and Dennis have nothing to fear – they will always go down a storm at Theatre Severn.
By Lucy Todman
