Seven Memorable Latitude Moments, 2017

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Tuesday 18th July 2017

Several minutes from the 2017 Latitude Festival that won't be forgotten in a hurry..

Reginald D Hunter gets finger-heckled

Saturday's comedy headliner rolled on in a wheelchair after breaking a leg a few weeks back - and the painkillers affected his storytelling not a jot. The new circumstances certainly didn't stop him joshing a little inappropriately with the unsuspecting lady stage-left who was signing for the deaf. She duly gestured in response, and Reg realised that he had no idea what the spirited sign-linguist was actually saying about him. Suitably chastened, he went back to his set.

Brexit the Gameshow fact-shames Boris

At Henham Park it's worth taking a sabbatical from the big tents, and heading into the trees. There you'll find pink sheep sagely discussing the merits of this year's line-up, by the look of it...

There's also highbrow culture on the waterfront, a proper indoor theatre, and a random outdoor stage featuring wonderful oddities like Brexit the Gameshow. This two-team contest is an accessible way of highlighting the hysteria of that campaign, just before last year's Latitude. One question about Boris Johnson both demonising and dealing with Turkey - country, not bird - is a particular eye-opener.

Frank Chickens get political

Speaking of fowl, this legendary Japanese collective pitched up at the Cabaret Theatre's takeover by Duckie (a much-loved clubnight co-founded by London's night czar, Amy Lamé) and peppered the stage with a mesmerising bunch of oddballs bellowing catchy songs, spelling out rabble-rousing hashtags - "#love" becomes "#revolution" - and, the real crowd pleaser, kissing a picture of Jeremy Corbyn. Quite a spectacle.

Lucy Rose sings the Girls tear-jerker

We all know that music adds atmosphere to TV and film, but it can work both ways. On the main Obelisk Stage on Saturday afternoon, Lucy Rose admitted that until recently she didn't sing the break-up ballad Shiver live, it being a bit quiet and acoustic. That song went on to soundtrack a heart-breaking scene in Lena Dunham's Girls, however, and now memories of Hannah Horvath's world collapsing add an extra layer of 'Oof!' when Rose plays it live. Hanky, anyone?

Mark Thomas tears the DUP a new one

Mark Thomas's test-run of his new hour (A Show that Gambles on the Future) at the Speakeasy was only a work-in-progress, but his rant about Britain's new Northern Irish co-leaders came fully formed, and right from the gut. After a series of (admittedly brilliant) theatrical works in recent years, this was the angry agit-comic of old, turned up to eleven.

Barry Crimmins namechecks Glass Animals... eventually

The rediscovered US stand-up maverick may have meandered into non-joke territory for much of his Comedy Stage set, but most of the audience didn't care. Those polemics - about Trump, America and lesser comedians doing lame genitalia jokes - were splendidly powerful. As was the bass booming across from Glass Animals on the main stage, which Barry actually seemed to enjoy competing against. "What are they called?" [Shout from crowd] "Class Animal? Glass Animal? Well good luck to them."

Desiree Burch's anal analogy

Crimmins would probably approve this erogenous-zoned routine though. His up-and-coming compatriot Burch - performing at the Soho Theatre's Friday night showcase at the Cabaret Theatre - finished her NSFW set with a brilliantly simple rejoinder to any male suitors who get overly opportunistic in a lady's off-limits area. We won't spoil the punchline here, but they should teach it in schools - particularly in the States, given the president's flexible views on boundaries. His name must have been one of the most-used words on these stages; that and 'dick.' Fill in your own jokes here.

See also: Latitude 2017 highlights