Lenny Live

Starring: Lenny Henry, Robbie Coltrane, Jeff Beck

This British concert documentary follows that country's very popular standup comedian and television performer Lenny Henry, who is largely unknown in the U.S. It was filmed in 1989 at London's Hackney Empire Theatre. In order to add interest to what might otherwise be a pedestrian performance show, there are backstage scenes in which Lenny impersonates such luminaries as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin, who all have advice for Lenny. ($Lenny Henry is best known for lampooning musicians and the British music world, and his humor particularly addresses the situation of blacks in contemporary British society. In one skit, he plays a Lou Rawls-type crooner of sexually stimulating ballads by the name of "Theophilus P. Wildebeeste." In others, he plays the reggae star "Fred Dread," blues singer "Smith," and the small-time DJ "Delbert Wilkins." In character as "Smith," Lenny performs a duet with the legendary rock guitarist Jeff Beck. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide