The Sentinel (Stoke), November 16, 2007

Barry reveals star-studded address book


Few writers can have had the honour or the kudos to have worked with so many famous names in British comedy history.

Morecambe And Wise, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Dave Allen, Stanley Baxter and Kenny Everett all had assistance from Barry, while more recently he has shared funny thoughts with Jasper Carrott and Rory Bremner, among others.

Then, of course, there was his comedy partnership with Willie Rushton; the pair toured with their popular show Two Old Farts In The Night up until the latter's death.

Today, he is best known for his improvisations alongside Humphrey Lyttelton and ex-Goodies Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden on the panel of BBC Radio Four quiz show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

But one of the things the self-proclaimed "people-aholic" loves best these days is being on stage in front of an audience and sharing his fond memories - while he can still remember them.

"It's sit-down rather than stand-up," he says, smiling beneath those recognisable heavy-framed spectacles.

"And it's different every time. I have one of those ring pads which you keep phone numbers and addresses in, and I turn the pages and invite the audience to shout out a letter from the alphabet. Then I'll talk about a person on that page.

"Of course, there are always some smart types who call out Z, but I've got something up my sleeve for them too."

Barry Cryer will be joined by Radio 4's Colin Sell on Wednesday, November 21, at Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20, including an after-show buffet supper. Call 01782 209784 or 01782 206000.