There's nothing like a Dame... (From Watford Observer)

There's nothing like a Dame...

3:12pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Theatre News By Melanie Dakin

Fresh from playing Idle Jack and sharing a pantomime stage at the New Wimbledon Theatre with legend Dame Edna Everage, Hertfordshire comedian and concert pianist Kev Orkian is back at The Maltings Arts Centre with his regular gig as host of the Howlin’ Comedy Club.

Kev tells me Edna (aka Barry Humphries), making her pantomime debut in Dick Whittington, managed to thoroughly steal the show.

“One of my favourite stories was the night we had a signer on stage, basically signing everything we were saying. Dame Edna decided it would be funny to add words not particularly heard in panto... gynaecology, which had the audience as well as all the performers on the floor. It was even funnier when she added her own interpretation in sign.“ Apparently both on and off-stage, during six costume changes, the greatest Dame in the business truly sparkled.

“She was just a joy to be around. The tips and routines we discussed, plus the new ideas, were just mind-numbing.“ Kev will have no shortage of talent to call on at the Howlin’ Comedy Club. The former Britain’ s Got Talent contestant is joined by a stellar line-up including opening act Eddy Brimson, Harry Hill’s buddy Dave Thompson (Tinky Winky in Teletubbies), Simon Clayton, and singer-songwriter and Time Out Comedy Award-winner, Rich Morton.

Audiences can also expect some of Kev’s lightning-fast wit and virtuoso piano playing – his scratch version of Elton John’s I’m Still Standing has been known to bring grown men to tears.

Tinkling the ivories while delivering comedy patter is his stock-in-trade and apparently now he’s added in a little nifty footwork.

“I’m now working on an ‘80s hip hop routine. I’m always adding new stories and routines every time I perform and it’s always nice to come home and play to the people who know you best.“ This year Kev is doing a show at Wembley Arena on February 25 for Voice in a Million, then he’s going to the South Africa Comedy Festival, the Edinburgh Festival and international tours of the Middle East, America, Australia, and Canada.

“I’m also working on a new piano album with new classical R&B numbers.

“The truth of the matter is I don’t think I could ever give up any of what I’m doing. It’s a way of life, whether that’s music or comedy, dance or musical theatre. I never really put a barrier on what I do.“

Howlin’ is at The Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans on Saturday, February 4 at 7.30pm. Details: 0844 414 5234, www.howlincomedyclub.com