Celebrity jokers in a comic double act at the Tate

Apr 30 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE usually straight-faced world of high art will be invaded by some unexpected new experts over the weekend.

Comedians Alexei Sayle and Brendan Riley will be your guides to Tate Liverpool this bank holiday, taking a fresh look at some of the art work currently on display, as part of the gallery’s 20th birthday celebrations.

There will be three days of family activities, free events, special goings-ons and night time entertainment throughout the gallery and the Albert Dock as the complex marks its milestone in style.

Formby stand-up Riley will be leading a gallery tour on Monday morning – and has made sure he has done his homework.

“It was a challenge,” he said. “But it’s been really interesting. When I came in and had a look around, at first I thought ‘I don’t know anything, I don’t know how I’ll get any comedy out of this’.

“Then you find there’s a lot more thought behind it, and what you see is only the start when you start finding out about the artists and the history.

“It’s going to be my job to make it entertaining and interesting. Like if I was writing a joke about a topical news story, I’d look for trivia and daft facts. So I’ll be picking up on points most people don’t know about.

“I want it to be fun and interactive – and I want people to teach me something.

“As a comedian, we get heckled and stuff, so I’m going to get people heckling some of the work.

“Galleries are usually so quiet, and I want people to make it noisy in here. When people first see that Picasso they should be buzzing over it.”

Alexei Sayle will be playing out the same role the day before. Both events are ticket only (£7) available from the Tate reception. The Tate holds its very own Northern Soul Dance on Saturday night with a line-up of well known Northern Soul DJs including Phil Saxe and Christian McBride, culminating in a secret performance to be announced.

Free family activities including den-making, lantern making and even birthday cake-icing will be taking place over the weekend.

Across the Albert Dock, the fun starts on Saturday with face painters, free Jelly Belly beans at Quay Confectionery, balloons for the kids at The Beatles Story, and a birthday treasure hunt starting at the visitor centre in Anchor Courtyard.

Liverpool Culture Company has commissioned a special performance, The Line, with a new musical score and dance performance by 100 young people from Liverpool to celebrate the birthday of the city’s Albert Dock.

Each one will be taking place outside the Merseyside Maritime Museum every half hour from 12pm till 2pm on Saturday.

The Savoy Jazz Band will get the party in full swing all over again on Sunday.

The Beatles Story are bringing their free Beatles Valuation Day to the party on Bank Holiday Monday, Yellow Duckmarine Tours will be offering a free “Duck Quacker” for all the kids booked on Bank Holiday Monday, and Shiverpool Tours are offering a birthday “scare two get one free” on all their tours in May.

Many bars and restaurants will be all offering birthday menus and cocktails as well as live music over the weekend.

The Albert Dock is also appealing for visitors to share memories of the last 20 years to become part of a photographic exhibition at the Dock, and is inviting people to drop off pictures to the tourist centre and get involved.

vickyanderson