Stephen Lynch : 3 Balloons – Lowry Theatre, Salford

Reviewer: Ruth Lovett

The Public Reviews Rating:

Stephen Lynch opened the set with one of his popular songs, ’Waiting’ which is rather apt given the show starts some 40 minutes after the time billed although this is clearly not a problem for his adoring fans who barely seem to notice the delay but welcome Lynch with a great cheer of approval. What is disappointing is the number of people who chose to watch much of the show through the screens of their camera phones and digital cameras and the constant flash photography from the audience is distracting.

The basis of Lynch’s comedy is a broad back catalogue of songs based on relativity easy, much used comedic targets, Aids, Nazism, special needs education students etc. The lyrics are often bordering on juvenile and although very amusing in an adolescent fashion, they are not particularity original or groundbreaking but produce much hysterical laughter from a highly appreciative audience. What is refreshing is the break from the very ‘PC’ world that we all exist in and although there is a need for political correctness, there is also a place for comedy and light entertainment too, which Lynch provides in spades.

Rather irritatingly, at any break in the performance, many audience members take the opportunity to shout out requests, often indistinguishable, treating Lynch as some sort of juke box. While he may respond sarcastically at times such as breaking in to a quick verse of Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ much to the delight of the crowd, r he also responds to requests at times so makes a rod for his own back in this respect.

This leads to much of the set being made up of previously seen material which I consider unusual for a comedy gig and although the material is funny, I am not sure how many times you could sit through it as a paying member of the audience before the novelty wears off.

Lynch is joined on stage at various points by his brother Drew and David Josefsberg who provide vocal harmony and lark about with Lynch in a semi-scripted style. Whilst producing some entertaining moments, at times the conversation drifts and becomes somewhat stilted and makes the audience feel like they are listening in to a chat between friends in a pub and the show loses momentum ate times.

The real gem of the evening is Lynch’s voice and having appeared on Broadway he has a real depth and quality to his vocals and displays an impressive range including a strong falsetto on several occasions which lifts the average songs and music to a more impressive level and is by far and away the highlight of the show.

Lynch’s audience leave happy and highly amused from this entertaining performance that could never be described as innovate or ground breaking but is thoroughly enjoyable and certainly worth catching if you can.