‘Blowers’ is in fine form at Town Hall
HIS retirement from international cricket commentating certainly hasn’t stopped Henry Blofeld OBE known affectionately as ‘Blowers’ from declaring at any time yet.
He has recently embarked on a nationwide tour recalling the last 47 years behind the Test Match Special microphone and Loughborough Town Hall provided the venue last week for whistle stop ‘innings’ by the voice legend himself.
On stage, an armchair flanked by suitcases, a trunk, a desk, telephone and a mike portrayed a visual statement of his travelling throughout his extensive career. Waving to the packed army of avid cricket fans, Blofeld strode onto the stage uttering those famous words ‘Good evening, My Dear Old things’ and immediately established a rapport with the audience and they cheered from the start.
After the brief stand up introduction peppered with ‘of the cuff’ remarks, ad libs and the actual occasional fact, he settled into the armchair and so began the first half mainly given over to two accounts of his contemporary ‘heroes’ Brian Johnson and John Arlott.
His obvious fondness for these two shone through as he reminisced about hilarious moments on and off the air including the iconic summary when Johnson dissolved into uncontrollable laughter describing an Ian Botham incident and how the gravelly voice of John Arlott changed from the sharp morning commentary to ‘Merlot’ mellow in the afternoon, insider stuff!
In the second half we learned more about Blofeld’s personal life during the years leading up to his retirement packed with humorous tales, anecdotes and incidents at cricket stadiums worldwide including one involving a certain President Mugabe that was unbelievably true (my lips are sealed) The projected background image showing Henry Blofeld’s final lap of honour around Lord’s cricket field ended an entertaining one man show with Blofeld receiving a deserved standing ovation.
On meeting him afterwards I asked him to describe his retirement so far, his reply ‘as good as it gets for a bloody fool!’ says it all.
By Lynette Watson