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Reviews
An Audience with Peter Ustinov (1988)
Superb Ustinov
This puts to shame most of the shows that pass as entertainment these days. Peter Ustinov was (sadly) a great raconteur, actor, director and humanitarian. Not to mention a gifted mimic as well.
The only reason I haven't this 10/10 is because if you buy the DVD, as I did when it first came out, its only 50 minutes. There must be more footage available surely.
I completely disagree with the previous reviewer this is very funny, and the audience is laughing because PU was a very funny man. Between displaying his wit and musical talent he also impersonates Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, John Huston and Charles Laughton.
I have watched this, to be honest I've lost count, but certainly dozens of times. In the 80s shows (which were the best) only Dudley Moore's, Billy Connelly and Kenneth Williams come any where near to matching Ustinov's show.
Sure he is probably not to everybody's taste, and his stories are mainly about a different era, so if in doubt watch some clips on Youtube.
For me though its a classic show, performed by, well I've got to say it, a great man.
An Audience with Dudley Moore (1981)
Moore talented than most.
Sadly this is unavailable to buy in any format at the time of writing. I have a VHS copy which I have watched over and over.
Dudley tells some very funny stories. He plays the Violin (not very well). Plays Jazz Piano with his Trio (very well). Inbetween he performs with Lulu and Christopher Cross.
Best of all he finishes with two Piano pieces written for Beyond the Fringe. One is a brief satire on Schubert and the other a well known theme played in multiple 'classical' styles (i.e. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven etc). This last one is a virtuoso Piano performance showing just what a talented pianist Dudley was. He is part of a very small club of Pianists who recorded and played professionally as a Jazz Pianist and a Classical Pianist. Eventually this will be released on DVD and I for one will be buying it.