The trickРІР‚в„ўs purpose was lost somewhere in his boundless energy and showmanship, but it was gratefully received. He proceeded to gloriously ramble through some truly bizarre ideas, leaving one puzzling over the odd operations of his mind.Р”Р„merican magician John Lenahan set up an elaborate card trick involving a pack of cards, some sort of slip-slide exercise machine and 12 members of the audience.

Norman Lovett then accused Cryer of stealing one of his gags sometime in the past: РІР‚ВYou canРІР‚в„ўt buy Boots in BootsРІР‚В¦РІР‚в„ў Fortunately the Lovett was generous enough to let the matter slide as a birthday gift. John Dowie read five delightfully whimsical poems, each dedicated to a different side of Cryer be it Barry the Boy, Barry the Husband or Barry the Drinker. 'РІР‚в„ўre you thinking what IРІР‚в„ўm thinking?РІР‚в„ў he asks the audience several times, providing each different punchline with a grin that stretches from ear to ear. The subject matter was slightly incongruous with the eveningРІР‚в„ўs frolicsome tone, but still performed with the same inherent sense of fun.Р”Р„rthur Smith acted as compere for the remainder of the first half, effortlessly funny in his usual offbeat manner and seemingly having the time of his life. Jeremy Hardy, the eveningРІР‚в„ўs self proclaimed РІР‚Вspring-chickenРІР‚в„ў, having only recently turned 40, opened by light-heartedly mocking the birthday boy (as pretty much every other act on the bill will later do) before launching into his trademarked political satire. РІР‚ВItРІР‚в„ўs a night of friends and familyРІР‚в„ў, he states, and so itРІР‚в„ўs a good thing for the audience that he surrounds himself with some wonderful talents. Much of it was based upon his age РІР‚вЂњ and that of the eveningРІР‚в„ўs other acts РІР‚вЂњ showing a good humour that, if anything, has increased with years. With a collection of one-liners and other short gags, he demonstrated a turn of phrase that most comics would roll over and beg for, being able to set up a joke before twisting it in another direction for the punchline. Even at 70, he possesses a remarkable singing voice and is seemingly pleased to show it off to anyone prepared to listen.Р”Р„s the back curtain descended, hiding the band for a first half emphasising the comedy, Cryer amply displayed his other magnificent talent: stand-up. The show opened with Cryer collaborator Ronnie GoldenРІР‚в„ўs witty band Ronnie & the Rex, then, to the hugely warm reception he deserves, Cryer joined them for the first of many collaborative songs. Not that many needed convincing of the manРІР‚в„ўs legacy. Composed of television extracts and interviews, the film could only hint at the huge dimensions of CryerРІР‚в„ўs back catalogue. Having written for everybody from Tommy Cooper to Richard Pryor, Barry Cryer was able to count on a startling array of comedy and musical talent for his 70th birthday celebrations, with every performance underscored with genuine sentiments of love and deference.Р”Р‡or those unsure why that duffer from IРІР‚в„ўm Sorry I HavenРІР‚в„ўt A Clue deserved such birthday fireworks, a short video montage quickly but effectively argued his case.

If only all birthday parties could be just like this.

Eddie izzard unrepeatable chicken