Brian Pern, comedy review: Hilariously daft

Rock reunions are now so common even fictional bands are at it. Last night Brian Pern’s retrospective concluded with his prog pioneers Thotch burying the proverbial hatchet.

Fans of his BBC appearances will know that Pern is comedian Simon Day. The Genesis-like Thotch includes Paul Whitehouse as depressed guitarist Pat Quid and Nigel Havers as priapic keyboard maestro Tony Pebble. The reformation was the climax of a bizarre event that required more rehearsal but oozed charm.

Cues were frequently fluffed during an evening that, like the ever-changing Pern, had an identity crisis. Part-gig, part spoof interview, it was also a fundraiser for “mollusc awareness”. “Put yourself in a snail’s shoes” went the eco-warrior’s appeal.

Day’s Fast Show chum Charlie Higson chipped in a neat cameo as a fusty archivist, Level 42’s Mark King provided a pounding bass riff, while Lucy Montgomery reprised her TV role as demented Mexican wife Pepita.

The jokes were often hilariously daft. When the pompous Pern was asked who would play him in a biopic he suggested “Idris Elba”, which was so gloriously wrong it almost felt right. And how can one not enjoy a reggae ditty entitled Dial N for Nandos?

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