Nicholas Parsons's Happy Hour is a chatshow hosted by the unflappable entertainer featuring a number of guests handpicked from the Edinburgh Fringe line-up. Each day introduces a number of different performers from the worlds of comedy, theatre and music.

Strutting onto stage to the theme tune from ‘Mission Impossible’ Nicholas Parsons’, respendant in a blue blazer and with not a hair out of place, begins to work the audience. He chats to the front row and rewards those he deems fit with packets of smarties. It is shambolic in the nicest possible way and he is able to get a laugh with just the slightest look of bewilderment or a quick quip about people’s jobs or place of birth.

Stories from time spent in Edinburgh and Glasgow follow, the latter being where he served an unlikely period working in the shipyards of the Clyde. This experience has left him with the ability to lapse into a pitch-perfect Scottish accent at the drop of a hat – something he does regularly throughout the show much to the amusement of his guests.

The first guest is Glaswegian comedian Janey Godley who delights with a number of humourous anecdotes. Calling her interviewer ‘Uncle Nick’ throughout she speaks about her hard upbringing and her now-successful career which recently saw her stage a play Off Broadway in New York. The two are clearly old friends and radiate warmth, ending up swapping jokes from Scottish comedians such as Chic Murray and Billy Connolly.

Next up is Desmond O’Conner, a burlesque musician who is a dab hand at the ukelele. Heavily made-up with a white face and black bejewelled eyes he plays two quirky songs, the first about the experience of going to a music festival and the second about drinking cheap wine. Both are archly amusing and delivered in a manner akin to Noel Coward.

The final guest is Liverpool’s John Bishop who credits Nicholas Parsons with helping to start his career when he came to see the comedian perform in a tiny venue on his first visit to Edinburgh. He speaks about his family and exclusively reveals that he will be appearing in a film directed by Ken Loach.

It would be hard to imagine a better host than Nicholas Parsons, or a more consumate professional. He clearly has a great love for his interviewees and impresses with his knowledge of their previous work. He genuinely appears to be a fan of the people he is speakig to which makes for a lively, spontaneous and energetic show.

Equally happy to speak or to listen, he never talks over his guests and is happy for them to take the spotlight, only interjecting to move the conversation on or to express his admiration. He even breaks with theatre etiquette when he says that he doesn’t mind if mobile phones ring - on the proviso that he can answer the call. On this day, sadly, there were no telephonic interruptions.

His enthusiasm is infectious and he clearly brings out the best in everybody involved. With no bells and whistles – just a couple of chairs and a table – the show provides the opportunity to sample a selection of talent in an engaging and fun environment.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): John Bishop – Guest. Janey Godley – Guest. Desmond O’Conner – Guest. Nicholas Parsons – Host.

Company Credits: Writer – Nicholas Parsons. Company – Nicholas Parsons and Pleasance

END

(c) David Hepburn 2009

reviewed Thursday 13 August 09 / Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com