GET OUT MORE..........GIG REVIEW

Ted Chippington, Wolverhampton Little Civic

29-11-2006

As previewed on The Stirrer, Stoke-on-Trent's finest comedy export since er, Nick Hancock hasmadea return to live action. Dave Travis was there to see the comeback of the non-comedian's non-comedian and has news - seriously - of a tribute show.

Ted Chippington is a bundle of contradictions. He is a performer, yet he seems embarrassed by being onstage. He is a comedian, yet he doesn't tell jokes. To compound matters, in the years that he has been away from the public eye, he has willfully deconstructed his routines and destroyed the punch lines.

Just when you hear a familiar routine, it is smashed to pieces by its creator. ‘…A bloke asked me “How far is it to the railway station?”.... I said “I've no idea, I came by tram”'. Ted devotees will recognise the frustration implicit in this line.

This not quite contempt, but certainly disregard for the audience is what makes Ted who he is. He is not technically a great or competent performer but he has something which the most entertainers can only dream of, and the strange thing is that no one really knows what that is. Let'scall it ‘Tedness'.

His inspiration and influence can be seen in many successful acts from the last 20 years (I'm not going to name names), and can be witnessed in the all star line-up that comprises the bizarre ‘Tedstock' event to be held at The Bloomsbury Theatre on February 5th. Proceeds from this event will be used to fund a 4 disc release of Ted's material in its entirety. Ted, of course, will not be attending.

Will this sudden surge in publicity and celebrity endorsement create a new generation of fans and make Ted Chippington into a household name? I don't see why not; there are plenty of dysfunctional households in modern Britain. Perhaps he could find a new career announcing the football results. Or as the voice of the speaking clock. He should be hosting prime time quiz shows at least, but I think we all know that he would hate that. Just as he would hate to attend his own tribute show. And we love him for it. Ted Chippington is a national treasure.