A Stewart Lee-fronted documentary about the cult British musician Robert Lloyd, you say? The frontman of the John Peel-endorsed punk band the Prefects and their (much longer lasting) successors, the Nightingales? With cameos from John Taylor of Duran Duran and the comedian Frank Skinner reflecting on the slippery nature of Lloyd’s truth-telling and their part in his life story?
If that sounds like an appealing idea you won’t be disappointed by this.
Lee tells Lloyd’s story with skill, passion and verve as well as the kind of fourth wall-breaking acrobatics that fans of his cerebral stand-up will be familiar with. In fact, Lee has almost as much fun ribbing the art of documentary-making as he does with music and memories that clearly mean a lot to him. He is also very generous with his subject, although less fervent devotees may notice, when listening to Lloyd singing how and unswerving dedication to creative freedom can cascade into genuine awfulness (but, hey, welcome to punk music).
Nevertheless, as Lee follows the musician around the country, Lloyd radiates a winning charm, and his refusal to kowtow to convention amid poor records sales feels impressive and poignant. Lloyd believes fervently in his art, but never takes himself too seriously. Which brings us to Lee’s central motif (and explains the title);: an enormous pop art statue of King Kong that bestrode Birmingham city centre when both men were young. It serves as a symbol of the strength of Lloyd’s personality, as a strong nostalgic totem and another reason for these two tubby middle-aged men to frequently collapse into helpeless giggles. I loved every minute.
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Funday’schild, youtube.
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Brighton Argus
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Idrie, Youtube
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Pudabaya, Twitter
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Stuart, Chortle
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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John Robins, Comedian
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Chez, Chortle.com