Puddles Pity Party

Emma had been trying to get me into Puddles Pity Party for a while.

She was already a big fan, and after watching a few of his cover versions online, I could see the appeal. On paper, the concept sounds slightly ridiculous: a seven-foot-tall clown who rarely speaks and sings cover songs. In reality, however, Puddles possesses one of those voices that stops you in your tracks.

The man can sing.

We had missed out on tickets for his previous tour after it sold out remarkably quickly, so when this tour was announced Emma wasn’t taking any chances. Tickets were secured early and plans were made well in advance.

Quite right too.

Determined to maximise the experience, we arrived at the Usher Hall early enough to secure front-row seats. While we were waiting, one of the ushers gave us a friendly warning.

“You’re brave sitting there. Puddles likes dragging people on stage.”

She said it as though this might discourage us.

What she didn’t realise was that I was secretly hoping it would happen.

After all, opportunities to appear on stage with giant singing clowns don’t come along every day.

The show itself was everything we had hoped for. Puddles has mastered the art of balancing comedy, pathos and genuinely impressive musical performances. One moment the audience would be laughing, the next they would be completely captivated by a beautifully sung ballad.

It’s a surprisingly powerful combination.

The character may be silent, but the performances communicate plenty. Beneath the costume and clown makeup lies a performer who understands exactly how to connect with an audience.

Emma was loving every minute of it.

I was too, although part of my attention remained focused on the possibility of being selected for audience participation. As the evening progressed, I began to suspect my chance had passed.

Then came the final song.

Sure enough, Puddles started looking around the front row.

Moments later, I found myself being invited onto the stage.

Result.

The song was Elvis Presley’s If I Can Dream, a fittingly dramatic finale and, as it happened, a song with a bit of personal significance. Back when I used to perform comedy as The Great White Shaft, it was often the song I used to finish my shows.

So standing on stage with Puddles Pity Party while If I Can Dream played felt like one of those strange full-circle moments that life occasionally throws your way.

You couldn’t really plan it if you tried.

Thankfully, I managed not to make a complete fool of myself, and the audience seemed to enjoy the moment as much as I did.

Looking back, the whole evening perfectly demonstrated why live entertainment remains so special. You can watch videos online and listen to albums at home, but you never know what unexpected memories a live show might create.

When we bought the tickets, I expected to see a talented singer and entertainer.

I didn’t expect to end up sharing a stage with him.

Emma got to see one of her favourite performers, I got my moment in the spotlight, and together we enjoyed one of the most entertaining nights of the year.

Not bad for a gig starring a sad clown.

The videos and photographs below capture some of the evening, including the moment Puddles made my long-held ambition of performing If I Can Dream with a giant clown a reality.

It’s not a sentence I ever expected to write, but here we are.