Reviews from Andy's Shows
Andy Ford and Friends
Bristol Hippodrome 26th Feb 2010
Having only vacated the Hippodrome stage just eight weeks ago in the guise of 'Muddles' in the Panto 'Snpw White and the Seven Dwafs' Andy Ford returned to demonstrate he own brand of humour as a 'Stand Up' comic.
A mixed aged audience of over 1,000 were nosily waiting to greet him creating an atmosphere before curtain up like a Panto audience eagerly awaiting the start of proceedings.
They still had a little while to wait before their hero appeared because the friends who had come to support him took over the first half of the show presenting a mini version off the 'Twice Nightly' variety shows which once dominated the Hippodrome programme.
Ventriloquist Steve Hewlett opened proceedings with not one but six different Dolls ranging from Arthur a crusty old curmudgeon to Elmo a shy maiden with an excellent line in off-key singing.
Having well and truly warmed up the audience Steve handed over to Van Buren, almost a one man variety show in his own right. With the help of the obligatory glamorous assistant, Alison, he performed magic, then rode uni-cycle before showing his best talents as a juggler.
When Andy Ford took over for the second half with his engaging personality he had the audience eating out of his hand from the word go. They loved this Exeter born comedians warm personal approach and he rewarded them with over an hour of non stop humour, with just a dash of song thrown in for good measure.
His style of humour can be described like the old advert for cream cakes 'naughty but nice'. He does not rely on a great deal of smut or innuendo and there wasn't a swear word to be heard from start to finish in a show that you would be happy to take either your Maiden Aunt or young children to.
Gerry Parker
Andy Ford is stealing every scene in the Bristol Hippodrome's production of Snow White, earning him the title of undisputed king of panto.... The West Country comedian is performing pantomime in his "neck of the woods" and has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand....
Thisisbristol.co.uk
This year the job of bringing laughter to the place falls to Exeter funny man Andy Ford. Perhaps not a household name but a man who knows how to wring a laugh from lines and looks and walks - think Robin Williams meets Alan Carr. It is Andy who carries the show, his mannered, camp style is perfect for the role of 'Muddles',
Nowt2do.com
King tonight had to be all-round entertainer and pantomime favourite Andy Ford, who played Snow White's friend Muddles with a cheeky grin and a glint in his eye that had the audience on side from the word go. The West Country comic stole the show with his camp manner and hilarious asides. Indeed, one of the highlights was when Muddles unexpectedly lauched himself into urban dance send-ups of pop hits by Girls Aloud, Black Eyed Peas and The Pussy Cat Dolls. The audience cheered and roared with laughter.
Crackerjack
Andy Ford was certainly the glue that bound them altogether. Displaying similar slapstick comedy timing to Lee Evans and the delivery of Ricky Gervais' David Brent character he seemed to have the most stage time and definitely got the biggest response from the audience.
Thisiswiltshire.co.uk
The real star of this show, the powerhouse that keeps everything racing along, is Andy Ford, whose Muddles character underlies pretty well everything in the evening and whose apparently boundless energy lights up the stage - and the audience!
UK Theatre Web
The West Country's own Andy Ford stole the show with a hilarious performance as Muddles that had the audience rocking in the aisles.
Gazette
The absolute star of the show however, for last night's audience was Andy Ford as Muddles. Demonstrating huge comic talent and an outstanding rapport with the audience, he had the crowd in fits of laughter from the beginning - as with all the best pantos, delivering lines that could work on two levels to delight both children and their parents alike.
Mature Times
Andy Ford's Muddles, in unrequited love with Snow White, was the glue that held the production together. Specialising, and again cornering the market in this 'Simple Simon' role, he displayed that most lethal of combinations, comedy and sympathy, with such pace, energy and enthusiasm that audiences could not help but empathise and laugh with him at his every appearance.
Theatre World Internet Magazine
Funny ha ha by Andy Ford
Hitchin Market Theatre March 2009
Review of FUNNY Ha-ha
Written/performed by Andy Ford and Directed by Tony Phillips
From the safety of his shabby sofa Andy shares with us his frustration at having to wait for recognition as a comedian.
Pressure is mounting, maintenance unpaid, and his ex on the phone denying access to his children until he pays his considerable arrears.
A subsistence of cheap booze and yesterdays take aways would have discouraged a lesser man. Alone in his bedsit he gains inspiration from his heroes Tommy, Spike, Frankie and of course Eric and Ernie. Analysing their performances he slowly builds his act. His phone is his lifeline, talking to his fellow comedians and with his agent his optimism shines through.
Not for him the tears of a clown he is star material. At last! A TV appearance which could change his life forever. Our dishevelled scruff is transformed into a smooth performer.
The audience loves him, what a show, it's a wrap.... or is it?
A superb play filled with pathos and laughter, never easy to achieve. Andy left his audience wanting more.
Marty Coe Insight magazine May 2009
Peter Pan
Milton Keynes Theatre 2008/9
Winkler and Ford are without doubt the best comedy duo in Panto ever!
BBC Radio
Henry Winkler is superb as Captain Hook, bringing to the role just the right amount of camp villainy, and beloved bad boy that it requires. He is brilliantly offset by Andy Ford in the role of Smee, who gives an outstanding performance, with perfect comic timing and great stage presence. Ford is truly hilarious, and also very kind to the four children who were picked to go up on stage with him after the interval, recognising their real qualities and not simply playing them for laughs.
Whatsonstage
The true star of the night was Smee, played by comedian Andy Ford. He completely stole the show with his cracking jokes, some of which were just for the adults!
Bedford Today
For me, the master stroke with this performance was the casting of Andy Ford as Smee, the right hand man to Winkler's Captain Hook. Ford was excellent almost compering moments of the show and his work with the audience was funny and faultless. Ford works as a Stand-up comic and this was evident in his timing. However, it was his physical comedy skills that stole the show.
The British Theatre Guide
It was left to the extremely funny Andy Ford as Smee to carry the flag. His camp portrayal of a pirate was hysterical and the moment he fell from the stage was so brilliantly executed that even now as I write this I find myself laughing.
Milton Keynes Theatre Reviews
Although he did not have the starring role Andy Ford had the largest part as Hook's first mate Smee, he also had the majority of the laughs and played the part with a warmth and charisma which gave the impression that he was an old friend within minutes of him coming on stage.
UK Theatre.net
Peter Pan
The Churchill Theatre
Bromley 2007/8
with Paul Michael Glaser
Smee, played by Andy Ford, is sensationally good. Flirting with the crowd, leading his fellow pirates in an hilarious burlesque, he's everything you want from a pantomime
Andy Ford is in total command of the stage; his kids on stage scene is a classic
The Stage and Television Today
Andy Ford lifted the Panto whenever he was on stage; his humorous exchanges with Hook and the audience were the highlights of the evening
Bromley Extra
From here on in the show features some great comedy set pieces as Glaser and comedian Andy Ford (as side-kick pirate Smee) perform some hilarious routines that had the audience roaring with laughter. This is where Andy Ford is in his element as he takes total control of the stage and, undoubtably, steals the show.
Bromley Times
The Star of the show was funnyman Andy Ford who had the audience in fits of laughter as Pirate Smee. His non-stop camp comedy is worth seeing the show for alone.
News Shopper
Andy Ford was hilarious, and made even my 15 year old son laugh!!
Bottom line - if Andy Ford is in it -GO SEE IT!!
News Shopper Online
Ashcroft Theatre Croydon 2006/7 with Bernie Nolan Basically Andy Ford is a panto genious. His improvisation during a picnic scene shows that he is a gifted comedian, and he is a true natural at the panto trick of communicating with kids on stage whilst simultaneously taking the mickey…… Star of the show! Croydon Guardian Andy Ford is addictive - from the moment he comes on stage with a silly walk and sillier talk, he has the audience captivated Croydon Advertiser As ever it is Andy Ford who stands out as Muddles. If he's in a show he can't help stealing it The Stage and Television Today Stardust Club Leicester When asked to review Andy Ford, where do you begin? There is no more distinctive and quirky comedian currently out there. After a Royal Variety Performance appearance and a string of successful hoot-filled slots on Des and Mel, you would have thought the creatures from TV land may just have found something more regular for him on the small screen. Ford is determinedly different, the laughs flow thick and fast and the hilarious highlights of his show set constituted one of the highlights of the entire four days. The Stage Newspaper Snow White Theatre Royal Nottingham 2005/6 with Claire Sweeney Andy has the audience in stitches with his silly costumes and even sillier jokes - he certainly knows how to deliver a punch line. A special mention goes to Andy Ford as Muddles - the audience loved his logical nursery rhymes and his scenes with his mother Dame Doughnut had to be seen to be believed For me the Star of the Show is comedian Andy Ford as Muddles, who frequently has the audience in stitches with his wacky walk, great gags and occasional off-the-cuff one liners. He establishes a real connection with the audience from the moment he appears with his genuine warm sense of humour and endearing daftness The The Man who steals the show is Andy Ford as Muddles. He has the young children screaming with laughter, the older ones love his cheekiness and there are a few asides for the adults too. He can adlib to get extra laughs and his final scene is hilarious The British Theatre Guide As a piece of sheer entertainment it offers value for money - although that's almost entirely due to Andy Ford as Snow White's hapless would be suitor Muddles. Ford was a constant delight with his beaming face, comic timing and camp mannerisms. He caught the Panto spirit perfectly and when he was on stage the show had plenty of life and laughs One Character who managed to transcend all and inject some fantastic comedy into the performance was Andy Ford as Muddles. He used his westcountry accent to good effect, with some jokes thrown in for us adults as well as plenty for the kids to enjoy. This Man truly knows what Panto is all about But the one setting the tone for the overall friendly approach turns out to be Andy Ford as Muddles. Instantly warm and looking like a seraphic chipmunk, he holds the kids and us happily in the palm of his hand until that final walkdown. Online Review With his cheeky smile and a twitching knee that seems to have a life of its own, he just generates warmth whenever he comes on stage. In one sublime and superbly timed moment he steps right off of it to fall vertically into the pit! The Stage and Television Today
Snow White
