Master of Mirth Ken Dodd lived up to his longevity legend in his laugh-a-minute show – the interval wasn't until 10.30pm and the final curtain at the came down at 1am!

By RICHARD PARR

Master of Mirth Ken Dodd lived up to his longevity legend in his laugh-a-minute show – the interval wasn't until 10.30pm and the final curtain at the Princess Theatre, Hunstanton, came down at 1am!

This was an entertainment like no other and the capacity audience on Wednesday burst into laughter from the first appearance of Doddy waving his trademark tickling stick and making saucy gestures and asides.

There is no denying Ken Dodd is a comic genius and his quickfire routine leaves the audience breathless and almost hurting with the intense laughter.

It is remarkable that even after a 47-year career, he retains an enthusiasm and freshness that belies his age and almost defies belief.

His subject material is almost as long as the length of his shows with almost everything under the sun coming in for the Doddy treatment including the The Prime Minister's family who he referred to as the “Care Blairs” and even references to the EDP.

He was clearly at home in Hunstanton and was delighted to be resuming his love affair with Sunny Hunny.

He had obviously done his homework with many references to local places.

The length of his shows have become part of his act, with references to going home with the milkfloat and having guard dogs around the theatre so no one could escape.

“One thing about my shows is that you get to go home in the daylight,” he told his audience.

And, of course, he sees the funny side of his well-publicised run-in a few years ago with the Inland Revenue and tells his audience that he invented self-assesment.

Ken Dodd is tremendous value on his own but in the show he shares the stage with pianist and singer Sybie Jones and trumpeter Joan Hinde.