Comic had grace and humour

Alan Davies
Marquee at Phyllis Court
Tuesday, October 7

COMEDIAN and author Alan Davies appeared for an intimate chat and some thoughtful dialogue with writer Daniel Hahn.

Alan, radiating a relaxed charm, commanded the stage well for the sold-out session, blending wit with vulnerability in a discussion that covered his illustrious past.

Graduating from Kent University’s drama programme in 1988 and later earning an honorary doctorate there in 2003, Alan also took a creative writing master’s from Goldsmiths in 2018. His academic past shone through in this articulate reflection on his career.

Anecdotes flowed freely. Some fans remember him from a banking advertisement rather than his acclaimed roles. Television milestones were central to the conversation. Joining QI as a regular panellist, he formed a close and long-standing friendship with Stephen Fry and remembers being in hysterics over John Sergeant’s stories. The enduring Jonathan Creek saga spanned 20 years and shot him to stardom but Alan stressed that it was the brilliance of scriptwriter David Renwick that significantly contributed to the success of the show.

Daniel steered toward Alan’s recent work, including the White Male Stand-Up tour — a poignant narrative of endurance amid peaks and pitfalls, but ultimately triumphant. The accompanying volume, released last month, dissects his comedic and theatrical path, probing how youthful experiences moulded his vocation, unveiling concealed struggles from his early days.

Delving deeper, Alan revisited his 2020 autobiography, Just Ignore Him, chronicling early years marred by paternal misconduct. Alan’s latest Fringe outing, Think Ahead, his first full-scale routine in 10 years, marked a bold move, openly speaking of violations he once confined to print. Alan has spoken of the dread, turmoil, post-traumatic stress and seclusion he once experienced.

The audiences witnessed his profound sorrow and resilience and at times there was an awkward silence followed by a thunderous ovation. Alan showed a raw honesty that gripped the audience.

Lighter segments tended to balance the gravity. Sometimes a whimsical idea sparked hilarity. Alan spoke candidly and affectionately about his wife, Katie Maskell, who offers her personal views on his writing and is extremely patient with their three children.

Alan proved an enthralling narrator — daring in his disclosures, polished in delivery and uplifting despite the dark shadows. This personal exchange, about an hour long, left the audience moved, amused and contemplative. Alan has authenticity and came across as a likeable person with presence who performed well. Clearly he is someone who is trying to navigate personal storms with grace and humour.

Anthony Weightman