Review: Pam Ann
May 28, 2008
Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 28th May, 2008
The Australian air stewardess with attittude is back and she is now selling out venues like The Lowry twice over! All of this success, without the aid of TV show is quite something. Since touring as Cher’s support act about 4 years ago, the sky has literally been the limit for this Aussie gay favourite.
On paper, an act revolving around the airline industry, complete with in jokes about each company from British Airways to Virgin should not work, as it appears to have too much niche appeal. But due to Caroline Reid’s attention to detail and air crews who willingly come along to be be torn apart by her alter-ego, it works wonderfully.
Every comedian I have seen in the last few months has joked about Terminal 5, but the unique selling point here is that Pam Ann knows the infamous site inside out. When she first appears, some of the audience shriek out loud, trying to let others know that they are in on the jokes. This is slightly annoying but then the Australian with the potty mouth answers your prayers, as she seeks them out and drags them on stage!
I loved the jibes at rude staff who “look at you as if you are responsible for the death of Princess Diana!” These elements of the show are completely spot-on and have added appeal, as many of the companies she is deriding are in the audience. Representatives from Lufthansa and Delta are very game and Reid’s character has respect for them so they get off fairly lightly.
Virgin staff are not so lucky, as she portrays them as stupid, sex-crazed inviduals. Her adlibbing and interaction with members of the audience is a joy to behold. As is her filmed spoof of the camp classic Airport, reimagined with Pam Ann as a major character, appearing alongside the likes of Helen Reddy and Charlton Heston.
In the second half, Caroline Reid’s brilliant creation goes on a major walkabout. Finding two gay men who have been together for two years she asks them: “When do you get a letter from Elton John?” The audience love every minute of this show and with good reason, as even when the material falters slightly, Reid constantly makes you laugh like a drain, regardless.
Whether she is looking through an audience member’s hand bag for “security reasons” or trying to fend off an Osama Bin Laden look-alike, Pam Ann is a scream; a one-off creation, destined to sell out venues for many years to come, as here is a gay icon who does so much more than camp- kitsch-by-numbers.
-Glenn Meads
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