Comedy news: Glastonbury 2009: Rolf Harris wows the Jazz Stage

Saturday 27th June

If you’re waking up feeling like an escapee from some strange experimental spa then it can only mean one thing; it’s your second day at Glastonbury. 

The world’s biggest festival was up nice and early this morning, mainly because the sun has microwaved their tent, but also because most festival-goers shared one burning desire: to see Rolf Harris. 

Australia’s most-loved export graced the Glastonbury stage for no less than the fourth time in his career to the delight of what looked like half the festival. 

The organisers have failed to learn that Rolf is easily one of the festival’s biggest draws and thousands had to settle for watching Rolf in a neighbouring field as the Jazz world stage where he had been billed to appear was overloaded. 

For those lucky enough to catch Rolf they were treated to a selection of his greatest classics. Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport and Waltzing Matilda were given a warm reception but Rolf has much more up his sleeve. 

No one expected him to partake in a beat box rap with young rapper B B Manic to a song about a Pavlova and the ageing Aussie also possess some excellent comic timing :“Thanks for the spontaneous applause!” Rolf uttered. “I've always found the best way to achieve spontaneity is through thorough planning.” 

We tried in vain to get an interview but instead had to settle for watching his endless signing session for fans (though Photo Alex did manage to get a firm handshake and a ‘Thanks’ from Rolf before he headed off). 

One of the other highlights of the day was in the Cabaret tent with a highly polished set from Mary Bourke who, apart from giving the young female audience members new reasons to chastise their other half while, touched upon some excellent darkl humour and also managed to finish a Sudoku while on stage. 

We headed to watch Bruce Springsteen headline the Pyramid but were back in the Cabaret tent in time to catch Brendan Burn’s. 

Burns manages to persuade you to forgive him of all his flaws by exposing them early on; “You don’t have to tell me - I know I’m a bigot.” He shouts to the audience before launching into a no-holds-barred tirade about Jade Goody. 

You can’t be truly offended when Burn’s acts in this way because he has already absolved himself from blame, which if you watch closely is his way of showing how un-bigotist or offensive his actually is. Burn's tirades are more akin to a fiery confession than a routine and the audience are taken in for the ride, allowing Burn's to shoulder the responsibility for pointing out how stupid the world is abeit in his own unique way.