“Do You Think That’s Wise?” – The Life and Times of John Le Mesurier

Julian Dutton Do You Think That's Wise_ Image

Do You Think That’s Wise?”

The Life & Times of John Le Mesurier

Written and performed by Julian Dutton

(Alistair MacGowan’s Big Impression, Pompidou)

ST AUSTELL ARTS CENTRE SATURDAY, 15TH JUNE – 7.30pm

Book tickets here by clicking here

Tickets: £13.00 / £11.00 (unwaged)

Julian Dutton is an English comedy writer and performer, principally for television and radio, whose work has won a British Comedy Award, a BAFTA, and a Radio Academy Gold Award for Best Comedy. Julian has toured as a support act to Harry Hill and Al Murray. He is also know to many as the Secret Lemonade Drinker, in the famous tv commercials!

In 2018, Julian wrote and performed a one-man stage tribute to the actor John Le Mesurier, “Do You Think That’s Wise?” which he took to the Edinburgh Fringe festival in August and is now touring the UK, including a West End run in London in April & May, 2019.

In his affectionate tribute to one of Britain’s best-loved comedy stars, Julian brings to life the man behind the wry smile and urbane English repartee that charmed millions and turned John Le Mesurier into a household name as Sergeant Wilson in Dad’s Army, one of the UK’s most beloved situation comedies.

As with many comedy stars, Le Mesurier’s life was not without tragedy – his broken marriage to Hattie Jacques, his betrayal by his best friend Tony Hancock – all these setbacks shook him, but his reputation as the quintessential English Gentleman never wavered. The show is packed with glorious reminiscences and stories from the Golden Age of Classic British Comedy.

The show’s title, Do You Think That’s Wise, Sir? Is taken from Sergeant Wilson’s tactful reply to any one of Captain Mainwaring’s ridiculous suggestions. This humourous and touching one-man play reveals the pleasure and the pain of John Le Mesurier’s life; the life of a self-styled “jobbing actor”, whose refined and cultured public persona concealed a personal life with more than its fair share of betrayal, heartbreak and sadness.

Julian is the co-creator and co-writer of the BBC2 comedy series Pompidou starring Matt Lucas, the first visual comedy TV series to be made for almost twenty years, since Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean and which is currently showing in 192 countries on Netflix.

Described as one of “the best vocal performers around,” (BBC Comedy) he was one of the co-creators, main writers and performer on hit BBC One comedy show The Big Impression with Alistair McGowan and Ronni Ancona, and has also written and starred in several of his own series on BBC Radio 4, as well as writing extensively for many other TV and radio shows.

Julian Dutton’s show is a joyful and moving celebrationof one of the most popular comic actors of our era.

You would think that John Le Mesurier was actually stood before you.

An amazing biographical tale – look out for it on tour.” BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE

An impressionist tour de force” Independent

Brilliant” Jon Culshaw

Julian Dutton’s impression is a wonder to behold” Lynn Bowles, BBC Radio.

One of the best vocal performers around.” BBC Comedy

A compelling performance.’ ★★★★ Chortle