Theatre

Heard brilliant things about Billy Connolly’s High Horse tour? It’s all true

It’s no wonder Billy Connolly has been dubbed the ‘bravest man in comedy’, as his High House tour takes London by storm this week.

His first Apollo stint in six years, the Scottish actor and comedian has been met with standing ovations as he delivers what must surely be one of the most honest and fearless stand-up shows of all time.

Connolly has made no secret of his battle with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2012; discovered in the same week he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had two hearing aids fitted.

But his High Horse tour proves, in case it wasn’t abundantly clear already, that Billy Connolly isn’t letting anything stop him.

“He did look slightly frail as he walked slowly to the microphone, but it is a relief to report that his funny bones are in full working order,” said the Evening Standard.

Adding, “Last time he opened here he frequently lost his thread. If anything he was mentally more on message this time. Even when he went off at wild tangents — one moment discussing Aberdeen autograph hunters, the next filming in Toronto — he always returned to his original yarn.”

While The Telegraph commended Connolly’s ability to forever see the funny side of life, “If this does prove to be a final lap of honour for the Scottish giant, it’s no sentimental journey but business as usual: richly anecdotal, pretension-pricking, often ribald, even if these days quite a lot of below-the-belt material comes at the expense of his ailments.”

Billy Connolly is also set to be honoured with this year’s Special Recognition Award at the 21st National Television Awards, which will be presented by his long-time friend, Dustin Hoffman.

Some tickets for Billy Connolly’s High Horse tour at London’s Eventim Apollo are still available at Ticketmaster.co.uk, with shows taking place between now and 6 February 2016.