Alan Partridge Live: Stratagem

The gigantic Stratagem arena tour rolled around the arenas of the UK in the summer of 2022 and this filmed show in London is the only chance of someone without a billion pounds to spend on a ticket to see it. Stratagem is a fairly loose concept - Partridge doing a sort of motivational speaking/life coaching schtick after breaking up with a girlfriend - which feels like a sort of flabbier rendition of the Partridge segment from Coogan's "Less Successful Characters" tour. It does go on for ages, and Emma Sidi is great, but it rarely feels vital and occasionally he drifts out of character. Not at all anywhere near essential Partridge, and he's far sharper in the Gibbons era as a podcast host/author.

There is a parody at the very start of the show of a famous musical that was highly strained, but maybe that's the whole point as this is *Partridge* after all. If you enjoy his new Podcast, 'From the Oasthouse', then you will at least enjoy some of the gags on offer here, but perhaps not all of them. I adore Partridge old and new, but even I was glad I hadn't paid to see this live! It just falls short in so many places, and I think it's a shame really because with a bit more polish it could have been superb. The songs are haphazard and plain odd in their construction and narrative. The 'plot', is really thin and falls flat very quickly. The performances are good, Coogan is quintessentially Alan, and the other cast members are basically okay. But not great. One in particular is just annoying and I was glad that section ended quickly. Old favourits make an appearance, but for what purpose I couldn't quite fathom as this didn't add anything to the show other than a cameo or two. Yet, it is still funnier and more enjoyable than 90% of the competiton, so I don't think it should be royally trounced for being simply unfunny. This seems a bit too unfair to me. The onscreen cutscenes between theatre changes are pretty funny and many of the jokes do raise a smile or two. It is more like his recent content then classic Partridge, but that is no bad thing. I am grateful Coogan and Co still continue to breathe life into this beloved character. This maybe a bit more Monkey Tennis than an episode of Swallow, but if you like a bit of Partridge then that's no bad thing.

Steve Coogan is one of my all-time favourite comedians but seriously this is awful... I kept watching hoping it'd improve but sadly an hour and a half of my life I won't get back.

So glad I didn't go see it live As I'd have probably ended up walking out.

It just drones on without the usual creativity and ironic humour associated with Partridge. Jokes were tired and the songs were pointless and seemingly just to fill in tine rather than add anything. The audience seemed just to be perplexed and a little embarrassed with some rather forced laughter usually at him swearing. Could have been brilliant but just tired and unoriginal.

Firstly, Mr Coogan, should your read this, I am sorry for this review

I saw this pop up on prime and I was very excited as I had no idea there was a live show of one of my all time favourite comedy characters of all time, I have seen all the series, and some of the podcasts, the film, and love them.

The first 20 minutes of this really made me laugh, then turned into a weird segment (no spoilers but about 20 minutes in) which was just so odd and left me scratching my head, it wasn't funny, and it wasn't Alan Partridge. I stress again, I am a real fan of the character and the series

I struggled on, and an hour in with 20 minutes to go, I really wished I had stopped after 20 minutes, I am currently writing this review while watching the last 20 minutes but its just not funny, it goes from odd segment to odd segment, I feel quite sad honestly, I really thought this was going to be great, I know this review is a little vague because maybe its just me? And I don't want to leave spoilers

In short, I think the character only works with script writers, this feels like Mr Coogan has tried to carry on the character with no help from good script writers, maybe he did have them, maybe I am being unjustly unfair in presuming that Steve Coogan wrote all this alone, but if he did, he shouldn't.

3/10. First 20 minutes or me 8/10 and then awful afterwards.

It has its moments, if by "moments" you mean very light laughter or smiles at some of the jokes and references. In most places though, it's just a cringeworthy performance from one of the greatest comics and finest character actors of our generation (in my opinion).

I wasn't expecting it to be as funny as the Partridge we all know and love, but this is almost like a different character altogether. The sharp wit and awkward charm that made Alan Partridge an iconic figure seem to be missing here. Instead, what we get is a diluted version that leans too heavily on forced gags and an odd attempt to translate the character into a live show - which, if you've seen any of Coogan's live shows in the past you know is certainly possible.

Coogan is quite an underrated musical comic, but the musical numbers here really don't make sense and seem like filler.

The live interaction with the audience, a hallmark of any great comedy special, feels stilted and awkward. There are moments where the cringe is palpable, not because of Partridge's trademark social faux pas, but because the humour falls flat and the attendees seem to be forcing themselves to enjoy what they likely had higher expectations for.

While it's always a pleasure to see Steve Coogan step into the shoes of his characters for live shows again, this special feels more like something to fill the gap in his schedule.