Greg Davies brought his latest stand-up show, Full Fat Legend, to The Forum Bath for the final night of a four-date sell-out run, and it proved another hugely entertaining evening for fans of the much-loved comedian, actor and Taskmaster host.
From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Greg had the audience completely with him. His storytelling ranged from school-day memories to reflections on the strange early years of fame – including an unforgettable tale involving a drunk Danny Dyer, an unfortunate electrocution and a surreal episode at Buckingham Palace. Each story unfolded with Greg’s trademark mix of disbelief, self-mockery and perfectly judged timing.
Among the biggest laughs of the night came from his recollections of life as a hopelessly inept school teacher, when his pupils regularly goaded him into questionable decisions – including a competition to see how far he could throw one of the smaller children. Delivered with a mixture of horror, pride and hindsight, it was a perfect example of his ability to turn a moment of absurdity into a masterclass in storytelling.
Now in his mid-to-late fifties, Greg’s material about ageing, health and middle-aged insecurities struck a clear chord with much of the audience. Few comedians could turn a routine about a troublesome prostate – apparently something he shares with Duncan from Blue – or medical advice about his anus from his surgeon brother-in-law into something genuinely hilarious, but Greg does it effortlessly.
His honesty about the realities of getting older, combined with a willingness to laugh at his own indignities, made for some of the funniest moments of the night.
Throughout, there was a sense of someone thoroughly enjoying being back on stage. His energy filled the art-deco splendour of The Forum, while his easy rapport with the crowd gave the evening an informal, almost conversational feel. Greg’s ability to move between absurd anecdotes, heartfelt admissions and quick-fire observations kept the room constantly engaged.
Long-time fans will have recognised his fondness for stories that begin in the ordinary and spiral into something utterly ridiculous. Whether recalling the chaos of the classroom, the awkward encounters that come with being 6ft 8in tall, or the baffling logic of modern life, Greg has an uncanny knack for making the mundane seem monumental. His timing and phrasing remain impeccable, and his physicality – the expressive gestures, the sudden bursts of mock outrage – reminds you why he’s one of the best live performers in British comedy.
There’s also warmth beneath the chaos. You leave the show feeling that you’ve spent an evening in the company of a brilliant storyteller who happens to see the world from a particularly skewed – and very funny – perspective.
Another cracking night of comedy at The Forum, Bath – and a reminder to check out the venue’s upcoming gigs at theforumbath.co.uk.
