Lunch With The Hamiltons
Richard Jordan Productions and Pleasance
Pleasance Dome @ 13:00 7th – 28th (not 10th, 21st) £9.50 (£8.00) £10.50 (£9.00)
****
Due to some overzealous scheduling on my part I’d left myself with very little time to arrive for Lunch With The Hamiltons. Entering the packed auditorium a minute or two overdue I was slightly distressed to find that the only spare seats available were on the front row, thus forcing me to walk perilously close to the great British battleaxe herself, Christine Hamilton. She greeted me with a guilt-inducing glare even furthering my sense of dread. She clearly held no grudge however as shortly after I was invited, or perhaps forcefully persuaded, to partake in a bit of her sandwich, and right tasty it was too.

For the duration of Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival, Neil and Christine Hamilton, the famed publicity baiting couple are holding a daily lunchtime chat show. At face value, for many this concept would be enough to summon a bilious reaction. I myself have been known to produce a Hamilton based scoff from time to time. But recently I’ve found them increasingly entertaining… almost endearing, they’ve weathered the storm, endured it and dare I say it, gained a place in the nation’s heart. Their celebrity status is not unlike that of a Big Brother contestant and these days a truly talented celebrity is a rarity indeed, but this pair have certain inescapably intriguing qualities.

This show has a simple concept, each day they welcome different performers and groups from shows all over the festival, allow them a plug, have a natter, and encourage them to join in a silly party game. As you’d expect Neil makes slightly inappropriate jokes and meets every encounter with charming ineptitude while Christine treats every turn with her customary intimidating randy mothering nature. Throughout this Christine in trademark fashion chugs her way through a bottle of champagne, persistently topping up her guests glasses.

As chat scenarios go, this is reminiscent of an excellent but fleeting show from the past entitled Richard Whitely Unbriefed where the much missed legend talked to ‘celebrities’ with no earthly idea of their identity or profession. In a similar way this set-up is probably at its best when completely falling apart at the seams and while it seems pretty reliant on the quality or eccentricity of the guests it’s thoroughly entertaining. Like an hilarious slapstick car crash where no-one actually gets hurt – sometimes you can’t bear to watch, but your chuckle muscles force you to remain transfixed.

Could this be their unashamed attempt to bring a similar format to the small screen? Given their history it would be a fair bet and not a bad commission if it were bought up. Daytime telly should watch out.

by Ian Phillips