ED2022 4/5 Reviews ED2022 Theatre Reviews

Eh Up, Me Old Flowers! (Simon Fielder productions)

By | Published on Friday 26 August 2022

This is the story of Charlie Williams, one of Britain’s first black footballers, later break-through star of ITV’s ‘The Comedians’. Interviewed by a journalist, does he deserve an MBE, or did his material pander too much to white prejudice? Though Tony Marshall (receptionist Noel in ‘Casualty’) bears little resemblance to Williams, this doesn’t matter. Marshall inhabits Charlie joyously. Perhaps Nick Read has even more fun portraying journalist, pit pony, Charlie’s wife, agent and even Frank Carson as we recap Williams’ life. With well-placed laughs and controversy sensitively-handled, it might fit good provincial theatres more than the Fringe, but it’s recommended to anyone interested in British comedy history. And Charlie’s last joke might just have brought a tear to my eye.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 29 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Richard Tyrone Jones]

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