WEBLINKS
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 |  | Review by Faye Claridge, web producer
Keith Barret is out of the car and on tour, descending on Warwick Arts Centre on 8 March 2003. The character, developed by Rob Bryden, has overtaken his creator, leaving no trace of the comedian behind.
Instead, the art centre was treated to a night of undiluted Keith, the hero of failure, in all his glory.
| Μύ |  | Rob Bryden as Keith Barret in Marion and Geoff
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Understandably, Keith is amazed and delighted to be on tour. This ordinary man from Wales never imagined his experience of divorce could be beneficial to so many people. But, thanks to popular demand, his therapy session is now visiting 19 venues across the UK.
The show - "actually it's not a show it's a talk" - has all the tragic, endearing and cringable elements of the television series, but is far funnier. I always thought the TV show had the sort of witty appeal of The Office or Alan Partridge, but rarely provoked real 'out loud' laughter.
The stage show/talk, however, had everyone in stitches from the very start. Through Keith Barret, Rob Bryden showed he is extremely funny indeed, with the naΓ―ve outlook and charm of a small child, coupled with an impeccable sense of comedy timing.
 His lack of expertise and awkwardness on stage made him irresistible....The more he unraveled as a victim - of his situation and of his inability to move-on - the more he became a hero for the audience.
 | Μύ | Faye Claridge
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He used time very well, in fact, stretching out the introduction with distraction after distraction, building the anticipation and hilarity to giddy heights.
He also amazed the audience with his comical lack of stage know-how. Breaking every golden rule in the presentation book, he made the audience sit through endless long-winded exercises to illustrate almost pointless remarks. His lack of expertise and awkwardness on stage made him irresistible.
I hate to identify with such a tragic character, but it's unavoidable. There is a little bit of Keith in all of us and that's why he's so fantastic to meet. What's even more amazing is that he's a character you actually don't want to say goodbye to.
I expected Keith Barret to make me feel awkward, embarrassed and pitying, but actually he made me feel remarkably comfortable. I realised this ordinary man is the epitome of dads and neighbours all over the UK.
The more he unraveled as a victim - of his situation and of his inability to move-on - the more he became a hero for the audience.
I sincerely hope Rob Bryden never tries to divorce Keith Barret. Theirs is a bond no conference affair should split-up.
See the show
See a snippet of the live show on Comic Relief night Friday, 14 March on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ1, between 10.30pm and 11.30pm.
You can also still see Rob Bryden at the remaining 16 gigs on the current tour. Follow the link to his website for the details or call the tour
hotline on 09065 581 058.
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