Move over W G Grace, there’s a new six-hitting humorist in town! Forget your flashy T20 smashes and audacious IPL bids, because Tottenham Court Road Comedy Club is about to go decidedly old-school with the arrival of Sid “The Willow Wielder” Smale and his one-man cricketing riot, “Gone Batty!”
If you think Test cricket is about as exciting as watching paint dry, think again. Sid, a self-proclaimed “cricket tragic”, is here to prove that the longest format of the game is also the funniest. He’ll have you chuckling like a nervous slip fielder, snorting like a jubilant bowler clean bowling the batsman,and ROFLing louder than a Barmy Army on free ale day.
Prepare for an innings of side-splitting anecdotes, rib-tickling sledges, and enough cricketing puns to make Geoffrey Boycott wince. Sid will take you on a hilarious journey through the gentleman’s game, from the mind-numbing tedium of a rain delay to the heart-stopping tension of a last-wicket stand. He’ll skewer the egos of overpaid fast bowlers, expose the quirks of quirky umpires, and leave you questioning why on earth anyone would willingly wear whites in the blazing heat.
Expect some top-notch impressions along the way. Sid’s repertoire includes a spot-on Michael Holding delivery that’ll have you ducking for cover, a flamboyant Virat Kohli cover drive that’ll have you giggling like a group of schoolgirls, and a grumpy Geoffrey Boycott commentary that’s as dry as a Yorkshire pudding left in the oven overnight.
So, whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan yearning for a dose of nostalgia, or a complete novice who thinks a googly is a type of sweet, “Gone Batty!” is the perfect way to spend an evening. Just don’t blame us if you start using terms like “chin music” and “long on” in everyday conversation. It’s a contagious condition, this love for the “glorious uncertainty” of Test cricket, especially when it’s laced with Sid Smale’s witty barbs and infectious enthusiasm.
Come to the Tottenham Court Road Club, grab a pint, and let Sid Smale, the “Willow Wielder,” tickle your funny bone with his off-spin of cricketing hilarity. Just remember, leave your doosras and googlies at the door – this is a one-man show, and Sid’s got all the laughs covered.
P.S. Don’t be surprised if Sid throws in a cheeky quiz about obscure cricketing records. Winner gets a signed box of his used chewing gum.
