Julian Clary: Position Vacant Apply Within

With his trademark double entendres and other far less subtle remarks, Julian Clary began delivering anecdotes and quips with such an innocent smirk he could get away with anything.

Having worked his Position Vacant show since late 2012 he seemed extremely relaxed in it, though the same couldn't be said for all the victims of the audience participation he revelled in for the main event after the interval. With eight brave or hapless souls selected to join him on stage there followed an hour of Clary at his absolute best as he played off his prey with glee and gentle insults to find his 'perfect partner'. Each was interviewed and issued with challenges to prove their worth in scenes resembling a decidedly adult pantomime. The fact that they all dutifully went along with the tasks and obvious embarrassment was testament to Clary' endearing personality and well honed ability to get a laugh out of his target without actually offending them. The show, well, climaxed with the wedding of the successful contestant. Despite his apparent flippant demeanour there remains a serious message in Clary's work laid bare in his poignant closing song about the terrible plight of gay and lesbian people in some countries, a thought-provoking finish to a wonderfully outrageous performance.

State Theatre (finished)