Hundreds of punters are quietly ushered into a central London studio and seats are fervently taken. The crowds gawk onwards from the stands as the guests’ requested drinks are carefully placed on the table. From this small action, a debate ensues among the waiting masses. Exclamations such as “I bet Julie Walters is on the red wine” can be heard amidst excited chatter. The infamous set is as expected – fabulously dramatic colours of purple and orange illuminate the otherwise dark and bland studio. Security guards pounce if they catch even a glimpse of a phone or a flash of a camera, and their deafening copyright pleas eventually will the crowd into silence. The lights dim and a comedian arrives to revive the fraying crowd after two hours of being shepherded into queues and alleyways. Audience interaction proves crucial, acting as the catalyst to rile up the crowd, and when Norton eventually appears, a cacophony of cheers erupt. It’s clear, in a manner that is distinctly Irish, that everyone is delighted to be here.
The man himself prances across the stage, delicately cradling a glass of white wine. A naturally funny man, Norton automatically creates a relaxed atmosphere. He does this every Thursday night, but shows no signs of exhaustion. Norton waves, squinting up to the top left hand corner of the studio where the eleventh-hour audience members are seated. With his famous quick wit, he quips, “Shit seats“, expertly executing the humorous sentiment by following with, “It’s on Friday at half ten – you’ll find out who the guests are then!”
The show credits roll and Norton bounces around erratically behind the camera, like Jake LaMotta outside the ring. The customary monologue with accompanying pictures follows and finally the guests are announced. Julie Walters, 50 Cent, Michael Fassbender and Kate Winslet are the eclectic bunch to be welcomed to the stage. The conversation is structured, but of course, it works. Norton pushes the guests, willing them to share more than they bargained for. His ability to extend conversations, almost to the point of exhaustion, proves crucial for the final product, in order to provide editors and producers with the optimum level of material to work with. The couch dynamics are the competitive advantage which has led to the show’s success and this becomes apparent after only a few minutes. The conversation flows, and the audience almost feel like intruders on an intimate dinner party.
Unsurprisingly, Julie Walters stole the show with her kooky charm, acting as the comedic thread throughout. Although initially, I had cruelly dismissed the appearance of 50 Cent, I had to retract my preconception, as he, too, was indispensable to the couch dynamics. The rapper jumped into the conversation with odd but hilarious musings that regularly had the studio in fits of laughter. As for the Hollywood A-listers, Winslet and Fassbender, they were simply average. While both have reputable humours and tend not to take themselves too seriously, there was a notable impediment to their contribution as they told long-winded stories without direction.
Ellie Goulding was the musical guest, executing a stellar performance before joining the conversation on the couch. Finally the lever for the famous red chair was carried into place, signalling the final act.
Overall, the Graham Norton show is an outstanding experience and a fantastic night out. The ticket allocation process is painstaking, but the tickets are free of charge from SRO Audiences, and of course, the end result is more than worth it. Norton has become synonymous with Friday-night entertainment in recent years, and this show is a testament to his talent. Norton and his team have created something special in entertainment and for now, it seems they’ve got the winning formula.
