Albert Halls, Bolton. SOME of their material would not have been out of place in a pantomime and the pace they set was never faster than leisurely, but Barry Cryer and Willie Rushton delighted a predominantly middle aged audience last night.

Barry Cryer's jokes may not all have been new, but he delivered them with style and his pleasure in them was infectious.

Most of the time he and Rushton worked independently. Cryer sang and cavorted about a bit during a funny routine involving an American Revivalist Minister exhorting the merits of cheeses. This was the most energetic part of the evening.

Rushton relied on chat. He talked, among other things, about Europe and football hooligans. He did lightning impressions of politicians and the Duke of Edinburgh and a very good Clement Freud.

But he couldn't beat Cryer's silent impersonation of the Queen.

Rushton's tribute to Fred Astaire - involving the entertainer wearing red, white and blue shorts - did not make me laugh, but it seemed to find favour with the audience.

Jacqui Cryer (no relation to Barry, apparently), sang lyrics in the manner adopted by satirists in the 60s. It's a style that has never appealed to me.

Colin Sell not only accompanied on the piano, but contributed a song of his own - The Boys In The Band.

This was a pleasant enough evening, but I'd expected more biting humour than that delivered by Cryer and Rushton. But they took it easy and so did the audience.

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