An Evening with Michael Palin

> Sheringham Little Theatre

Intelligent conversation, countless comic anecdotes and fantastic tales of adventures from around the world kept us entertained all night.

Michael Palin should grace the top of anyone's celebrity dinner party list.

The former Monty Python star turned globetrotting adventurer wowed a packed Sheringham theatre on Saturday night during a brief return to a childhood holiday haunt.

It would be easy to forget that the 62-year-old was part of this country's greatest comedy group following a highly successful career with travel documentaries.

But the former Python can still have an audience in stitches and hold your attention in the palm of his hand.

With expert comic timing, a face and voice that blends into many different accents and characters, you feel like you'd never get bored with his endless library of travel stories.

The names of far-flung destinations from his most recent trek across the Himalayas rolled off his tongue as he leapt about the stage with stories of filming an ancient Chinese ritual whilst getting updates on the rugby world cup final and the best technique to bathe an elephant. Apparently they like being washed under the tusks!

But had it not been for his ritual summer journeys from Sheffield to Sheringham between the ages of five and 15, he may have never explored the world, he said.

He took us down memory lane with tales of donkey rides on the beach and the magnificent Victorian seafront toilets he and father named the 'Club'.

His energy and enthusiasm for travelling and love for North Norfolk was clear to see. That's probably why he talked for free, helping to raise more than £3000 for the Little Theatre.