News

Opera House, Manchester

March 4, 2012

Comedian Dave Spikey is perhaps best known for his appearances alongside Peter Kay in Phoenix Nights but the Chorley lad is in a class of his own when it comes to stand up.

I first saw him perform last year during a charity gig with Jason Manford and was pleasantly surprised by his friendly charm and quick humour.

The writer, actor and presenter’s new show Words Don’t Come Easy once again presented his unique mix of nostalgia and observations on the absurdity of modern life.

As the title suggests, the new show centres around our relationship with language, from the obscure sayings of his grandparents to the ways text messaging is destroying the English language.

Highlights of the show include his weird and wonderful collection of newspaper headlines.

The former-health worker also covers his love of animals including the antics of his 30 rescued chickens and one very noisy peacock.

He makes fun of some of the meaningless song lyrics in both modern and ’80s pop and the taboos surrounding talking about sex that lead to playground rumours and a warped understanding of the world.

It’s clear Spikey is a lover of words – after all, they’re his craft – and through his exploration of different aspects of language he strikes a chord with an audience that spans three generations.

With material around his young daughter and his elderly grandmother, Spikey’s humour covers life from the cradle to the grave.

Relatable, genuine and superbly funny, Spikey is a comic genius.

Bethany English - CITY LIFE