John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett

If you’ve seen them, you’ll never forget them and if you haven’t seen them, then you MUST! Fresh from their 2023 “Half A Sentry” tour, they return to Lydney Town Hall on their journey towards 60 years of playing for your amusement and amazement. Last year was a sell-out and we’re sure the madcap duo will fill the room again with their unique brand of (sort of) music. It was 1973 when they first got together (since then they’ve regrouped, fallen out and split more times than curdled sauce) and 1977 when they had their one and only hit, Really Free. Inspired by its chart success, Otway thought he’d made it as a pop star, whilst Barrett remained the eternal musical enigma. A medically disastrous appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test (see YouTube) cemented their image as Rock and Roll’s Greatest Failure and they’ve built on it ever since. Audiences should be prepared for everything from bare-chested theremin playing to wah wah wheelie bin as the duo jump from one hit and 40 near misses to another. The perpetually optimistic, excitable Otway is counterpointed by Willy Barrett’s dry wit and sarcasm, not to mention his amazing multi-instrumentalism and talent for destroying instruments. ‘I think he’s genuinely fascinated by what I do’ says Otway of Willy ‘but totally horrified at the damage it does to his reputation as a musician’. Willy counters ‘I do rather find that performing alongside his imbecilic antics distracts from the music I play. I’m a little bit more tolerant of him now, so I’m not quite as violent with him as in the early days’. Older but no wiser, the contrast between the dead pan humour of Barrett and mad onstage antics of Otway are hilarious to watch. John’s lyrical genius and Willy’s outstanding musicianship continue to entertain. Let’s hope they don’t fall out. On second thoughts let’s hope they do, it’s far more fun. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a total unique and eccentric semi-musical experience! Hear Otway’s life story … marvel at Willy’s dexterity… laugh at Otway’s Joke… wear protective clothing… and Enjoy Yourselves! Tickets available now at only £18 (£20 on the door) from the town hall box office.