Photo credit: officialtheatre.com
Last week I attended the Press Night for David Baddiel’s show My Family: Not the Sitcom at the Vaudeville Theatre, London. It was a wonderful night with a buzzing atmosphere. From start to finish Baddiel had the audience in stitches, as would be expected from a comedian, but it soon became apparent that this was more than just a comedy show, it was a biography and autobiography of his and his family’s life. Baddiel whose mother Sarah Baddiel passed away unexpectedly, said “it’s the funeral speech I wasn’t able to give”. He spoke about his family in a brutally honest, devoted way. It was perhaps too honest in parts, but absolutely necessary. If anyone had any doubts at the end of the show, these would soon be quashed when Baddiel came back onto stage and spoke to us, the audience, in an open conversation. He gave us the chance to ask him questions and left us in a state of understanding his reasons for putting on a show that some people may question the ethics of.
To me personally, I have a huge amount of respect for David Baddiel. I have learnt a lot about him and his family, whom I have never met, but feel as though I have come away knowing them. My Family: Not the Sitcom is Baddiel’s way of dealing with grief and loss, hard enough to deal with in everyday life and dealing with them publicly is even more challenging, but I suppose actually very good for us. Baddiel made sure we knew who his mother was, something he said ‘she would love’ as she was always getting her face on his TV shows and Press events. She came across as the most fun, crazy and loving person, with a very interesting life. He also made it known about his father’s very real struggle with dementia. Losing one parent and having another seriously ill is challenge enough for anyone to deal with and I think he is doing it in a marvellous way.
Congratulations David with your bravery, wit and honesty, not only with us, but with yourself.
If you would like to see the show, which I highly recommend! it is running for a short time at the Vaudeville Theatre, London
Abbie Steele at the Press Night of David Baddiel’s ‘My Family: Not the Sitcom’
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