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Comedy Culture

>>> Billy Connolly: High Horse Tour

BILLY CONNOLLY: HIGH HORSE TOUR starring Connolly (Westbeth Entertainment). At Massey Hall (178 Victoria). To Friday (October 16). 8 pm. $54.25-$76.75. See listing. Rating: NNNN

Im supposed to say something about the Blue Jays, said Billy Connolly, at the start of his High Horse Tour show at Massey Hall, the night of Game 5.

Big applause.

Im glad you beat whoever the fuck they were.

Lots of laughter and cheers.

Yes, the audience was in a good, celebratory mood for his show, the first of three (which ends tonight, Friday, October 16, before continuing across the country). But they would have been happy anyway, after a few of his stories.

The Scotsman and his frank, funny act are just naturally likeable, whether hes sending up annoying people on airport escalators or how eating brown bread instead of white will give you an extra two weeks of life in a miserable retirement home.

The fact that he gets laughs from some dark places was evident a few minutes into his set. While trying to pick up a glass of water from a stool, his left hand began shaking and Connolly acknowledged that hes living with Parkinsons Disease, which he calls a bastard.

Then he launched into an anecdote about how actor Ian Holm, whos also got Parkinsons, suggested putting his hand in his pocket when it starts shaking. Cue joke about doing just that while looking at a nude work at a swanky art gallery.

And Connollys admission that he had prostate cancer led to a hilariously honest scene in which he recreated the uncomfortable exam test.

The Big Yin is the great leveller, of himself and others. He doesnt care where his next laugh comes from, as long as it lands. A silly prank making fun of a lisping shop owner? A send-up of the pretentious boobs discussing esoteric wooden flute music on the UKs Radio 4? Everything is fair game.

To be sure, Connolly, standing straight ahead, his eyes fixed, and occasionally reaching for and not picking up that glass of water, doesnt have the vigour and raucous energy he had in his prime. His voice also seems a bit weaker.

But the packed audience many cheering after Glasgow landmarks were mentioned didnt mind. There was a feeling of acceptance in the hall, an acknowledgement that shit happens, life goes on and the best thing we can do is laugh about it all.

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