Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The world never seems to have enough of Michael Palin. From the early sprouting of comedy genius that resided in the Yorkshire soul, to the creative overload that burgeoned in Monty Python to becoming one of television’s leading travel presenters, throughout it all he remained one of Britain’s favourite and captivating sons.

For the huge crowd that made their way to the Auditorium of the Echo Arena on what could have been a fairly ordinary night for Liverpool standards, images of plausible transvestite lumberjacks, of cured lepers, more cheese than could be robbed from a Stinking Bishop factory, The South Pole, Brazil and an 80 day challenge that Jules Verne would have applauded but seethed in a tethered rage at in private, Michael Palin is such a big pull, so well admired that just by showing holiday snaps and revealing where the Knights who say Ni came from, every person inside the Auditorium surely would have wanted to take him home for the evening and ask his insights on things that wouldn’t even get asked on a Brazilian local radio station.

Shamelessly promoting a book is no problem, especially when you build a three hour show around it. It adds something to the spectacle on offer, further insights into a man who last came to Liverpool several years ago and sat signing books in the now long gone Waterstones Bookshop on Bold Street and finding himself being treated to a regaling tale of the train named in his honour. Why would you not have 800 people come to you and tell interesting anecdotes  of your live as an adventurer an comedian, there is after all so few than can or have the ability to do so with charm and conviction.

Whether it was the chance to take in a legend’s interesting holiday snaps or to relish being part of something erring on the side of magical and arguably never to be repeated in Liverpool is up for debate but this is a man who puts the charisma into character, who could make the story of an African Swallow tantalising and outrageous and who has the unerring talent built up over more than 50 years to carry it off with aplomb.

If only Travelling To Work was as enjoyable as it could be, as Mr Palin makes it to be, then perhaps Humanity would be in a better position to care more about the planet, making people laugh and generally being able to embrace all cultures with the kindness and respect of the stranger who became a friend to all.

Ian D. Hall