Graffiti Classics: The Comedy String Quartet – The Lights, Andover - Saturday 3rd June

Summer’s here at last! Long days, fields of wildflowers, Daily Mail warnings of impending hosepipe bans. And everyone to whom I mention such things says “yes, and drinking Pimm’s in the garden”.  Well, perhaps.  Personally, I don’t “get” Pimm’s – don’t actually dislike it, but it’s best in small doses, and preferably not every year.

Graffiti Classics: The Comedy String Quartet came to The Lights last Saturday. According to their leader and bass player, Cathal Ó Dúill, it was a long-awaited return following a barnstorming visit 16 years previously. Only one person in the audience admitted out loud to having seen them on that occasion, and the comment I heard over and over beforehand was “I like classical music, but I’m not sure what to expect”. 

So, let me enlighten you. The band comprises three violinists and Cathal on double bass leading the way with intros and banter. And, yes, they play some classical music, and play it well, but it’s the comedy that’s the show’s raison d'être.

Cathal, in a soft Irish brogue, introduced himself with the cheeky post-Brexit “I’m from Europe” and gave us a rundown of the band’s work on cruise ships: “Anyone seen us on a Saga cruise? Really? You’re still alive, then!?” before launching into Air On A G String (you can guess the joke that preceded that) and a booming rendition of O Sole Mio. He’s got a decent voice has “himself” and he can hold a tune, but it’s a voice better suited to the Irish folk songs he performed later in the show. 

Throughout all this, the band dance their way around the stage, feigning indignation when one fiddler pushes in front of another, jumping in the air at crescendos or lying on the floor to play rallentando. It’s light-hearted, initially amusing, and adroit, but it does get a bit predictable, and after an hour I have to say that the joke was wearing a bit thin.

And then, my bête noire, the obligatory standing ovation. In fairness, the audience clearly enjoyed themselves, and since Cathal cajoled the front row into standing up at the end, this one was unavoidable.

Cathal promised that they’ll return in another 16 years, and I couldn’t help thinking that for me, as with Pimm’s, that would be soon enough.  Nevertheless, I’ll raise a glass of No.1 Cup to a decent summer evening’s entertainment.

Chris Parkinson-Brown