IT’S one of his most famous comedy monologues but Sir Billy Connolly momentarily lost his own sense of humour when he was heckled during an early performance in his home city.
A former entertainment booker at Glasgow University’s Queen Margaret (QM) union has told how the comedian walked off stage after an audience member shouted out ‘blasphemous’ during ‘The Crucifixion.’
She said the comedian ‘was not a happy man’ but was calmed down with a cup of tea, backstage.
The famous monologue, which caused upset amongst the churches when Connolly first performed it, re-imagines Jesus as a Glaswegian working man, in the last few hours of his life, where the last supper is held in Gallowgate and not Galilee.
The crown of thorns is re-imagined as a "jaggy bunnet" while Judas Iscariot is berated with the words, "See you Judas, you're getting on ma' t***."
Former booker Christine Hamilton said: "One of Connolly's brilliant classic stories was The Crucifixion and that evening in the QM, he was closing his act with this when, towards the end, someone shouted out 'blasphemous!"
"I believed at the time and still believe, it was a drunken heckle but the Big Yin reacted by walking off stage.
"He retreated to the board flat where we gave him a drink - might have been a cup of tea. He was not a happy man.
Read more: Glasgow's QMU celebrates 50 years of landmark gigs
"He was clearly taken aback by the drunken heckle and his customary prowess at dealing with hecklers deserted him.No one asked for their money back and we put it down to some bad behaviour from a member of the audience and maybe a bit of over sensitivity on the part of Connolly."
The anecdote will form part of an exhibition of memories shared by staff, gig goers and bands celebrating the 50th birthday of the venue, which has played host to bands including Queen, The Smiths and Nirvana.
There is still time to get involved in exhibition celebrating the venue's 50th birthday. Send images of ticket stubs, press cuttings and stories to www.qmunion.org.uk/qmu50
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