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John Fleming
By John Fleming

The banger-up-the-bum - Still offensive after a quarter of a century

Date: 22 August 2010

The Malcolm Hardee Documentary Preview at the Newsroom on Saturday attracted 21 people. Not bad for an event that is not listed in the Fringe Programme.

Interestingly, as one, 19 of them walked simultaneously out of the screening.

The cause appeared to be the sight of a naked Chris Lynam performing the Greatest Show on Legs' infamous 'banger-up-the-bum' routine in which a firework (preferably a three-stage Roman Candle) is inserted between the buttocks of the naked performer and lit (normally by the late Malcolm Hardee).

The apparently offensive routine was filmed at The Tunnel Palladium sometime between 1984-1988.

Who would have thought that a routine filmed around a quarter of a century ago could still cause offence... and they hadn't even got to footage Malcolm Hardee's various full-frontal escapades...

Malcolm's ashes will be turning happily in his urn.

- by John Fleming


Any opinions expressed above do not represent the view of Whatsonstage.com nor any of its staff or contributors beyond the bylined author.



Related Content

Other Posts By John Fleming
The Malcolm Hardee Awards presentation + Arthur Smith's tour of Edinburgh - 29th Aug 2010 blog
Taking the Malcolm Hardee Awards decision - 29th Aug 2010 blog
Comic Originality - not being interested in money - 25th Aug 2010 blog
Of The Blue Lady, academic comedy and Shaggers - 25th Aug 2010 blog
Surreal reports and Malcolm Hardee Awards mistranslations - 24th Aug 2010 blog
MALCOLM HARDEE AWARDS 2010 - shortlist announced at the Edinburgh Fringe - 23rd Aug 2010 blog
The Spirit of the Fringe is dead, dying or thriving - 20th Aug 2010 blog
Cunning Stunts, Chainsaw-Jugglers and 8-Month-Old Babies - 18th Aug 2010 blog
What Sells Tickets? - 18th Aug 2010 blog
Lewis Schaffer (never call him just Lewis) at some time or other - 16th Aug 2010 blog
 More...
 


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