John Shuttleworth is the flawless fantasy creation of actor Graham Fellows who, back 1978, also created an alter ego of the character Jilted John, giving him a hit and a memorable TOTP appearance.
Is Jilted John an adult John Shuttleworth? Has the really miffed post punk loser in a shrunken blue anorak who made “Gordon is a moron” a popular catch phrase morphed in to the brylcreemed, bespectacled, beige slacked, red polo necked and leather (?) jacketed former security guard from Sheffield?
That is a question that Shuttleworth might enjoy tackling about someone else as he enjoys a bit of philosophy. His latest show was supposed to be entitled “A Man with No Morals” but his agent and neighbour, Ken Worthington, misspelt it, so as canny Yorkshiremen, let the show become “A Man with No More Rolls”. This smart move opened up a whole world of bread and bridies (maybe the latter was just for the Scottish leg); his wife’s ‘paganini’ maker and the knowledge that ‘ciabatta’ means ‘slipper’ in Italian.
John Shuttleworth is married to Mary, has a son and a daughter, Darren and Karen and is a small time entertainer in his local club circuit, who sees the world through an esoteric Yorkshire telescope. All his body language is in keeping with someone slightly caught in a time warp, like watching your dad do the twist. He has a resigned and matter of fact tone of voice that’s accompanied by idiosyncratic teeth sucking and a back of the throat ‘oohh’ that sounds like the ‘Suits You, Sir’ guys from the Fast Show but without the sleeze.
Mr Shuttleworth is not smutty, not does he indulge in innuendo. He elevates anxiety ridden but ordinary events like buying a toaster on eBay or the phenomenon of soap in a dispenser, giving them Vegas (or should that be Blackpool) razzmatazz through his songs.
Favourites like Two Margarines and I Can’t go Back to Savoury Now were sung to an audience clearly in the know, along with the salutary How’s Yer Nan? and the jaunty Serial Cereal Eater, all played on the versatile and tinsel bedecked Shuttleworth Yamaha keyboard.
This is the first time I have seen John Shuttleworth live, although I have heard him on Radio many times. Though the audience only had the one enthusiastic air-puncher throughout the show, there was a sense of being among established fans who seemed to be digging into their pockets for the lovely Shuttleworth treats at the merchandise stall that was priced to suit all pockets. They included souvenirs from John’s singularly funny and consciously amateur-looking film, Southern Softies, as well as a fridge magnet of John at one of his favourite pastimes, ping pong. They were treated to two good encores from this unique performer in his pun laden hit-the spot act.
John Shuttleworth has been touring Britain with A Man with No More Rolls since the end of October but the man behind him, Graham Fellows, was fresh and funny at this Edinburgh show near the end of what has been pretty much non-stop performances. It was a great way to spend a Wednesday night. Top marks!
Show times
16 March at 8pm and touring till 18 March