Ken Dodd Christmas Laughter Show - Parr Hall (From Warrington Guardian)

Ken Dodd Christmas Laughter Show - Parr Hall

People aged eight to 80 descended on the Parr Hall for what has become a yuletide tradition in Warrington - The Ken Dodd Christmas Laughter Show.

The night was cold, but there was a buzz of expectancy in the large, good-natured crowd as they waited in the queue outside.

Many swapped reminiscences of previous shows and speculated about the chances of getting home before dawn.

The hall looked bright and festive and the audience anticipated another wonderful show, full of variety and laughter.

He was ably backed up in the first half of the show by Zimmie Jones, accompanying herself on piano and guitar, Sappho the illusionist and of course the Diddymen.

The second half was pure Ken Dodd as he worked the audience as only he, the ultimate professional, can.

The size of the venue makes for an intimate atmosphere and an easygoing rapport with the crowd.

Some of the best moments in the show came from his repartee with the audience as he ranged over his favourite subjects - taxation, doctors and whether the assembled masses would outlast him or have to thumb a lift home on a passing milk float.

He did finally let us go after a show of five hours that passed as if it were five minutes. After a well-deserved standing ovation we emerged from the Parr Hall at 1am knowing we had received what we had been promised, a night of fun laughter and variety with a master of his trade.

Brian Magill