Laugh Out London (Brixton)
Last night, I went to the Dogstar in Brixton for one of Laugh Out London's increasingly popular gigs. Indeed, I had procured one of the last two remaining tickets the best part of three weeks ago. Holding the evening together was Tom Webb, someone I've gigged with many times and invariably a safe pair of hands as MC. He was given a great deal of fodder to work with tonight, with an IT specialist blurting out apropo of nothing that she was ignorant about hardware. One of those evenings where the "characters" in the audience revealed themselves largely unprompted.
Having seen his last three Edinburgh shows in various incarnations, I know what I'm going to get from David Trent. A man standing in front of a projection screen mocking various videos from around the web. I had grown a bit weary of the formula and the subjects of his ire have not changed dramatically. In the past he's focused on Google Glass and Nick Griffin, tonight it was the Apple IWatch and Katie Hopkins. The latter at least is particularly current and Trent has fun with those comparing Hopkins to Hitler on social media. The highlight of the set comes when Trent turns his derision on Apple's published statistics regarding the welfare of their factory workers. Here, his previously established formula is given an edge and I'd like to see more of this from him.
Joe Wells closed the half, with some of the political musings for which he has mostly become known. My issue with left wing comedy is that it invariably preaches to the converted and Wells occasionally falls into this trap. Largely though, it's an assured set with well crafted jokes.
After the interval came Diana Morgan, probably best known for her role as the dimwitted Philomena Cunk in Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe. I was uncertain what to expect from her stand up but greatly enjoyed her bleak worldview and descriptions of her upbringing, noting that her school was "so rough Johnny Cash came to play for us". Morgan also proved game when an audience member suggested an alternative end to a routine she was working on. A fun ending to a solid 20 minutes.
Headlining was Nick Helm. He's become an act with a cult following and doubtless will sell more tickets thanks to his role in BBC3's "Uncle". The fans of that sitcom unfamiliar with his previous work might be in for a surprise. Half an hour in the company of Helm's antagonistic persona will not be to everyone's taste. This sad, lonely wannabe rock star frequently turns on his own audience. Tonight, a man who did not participate in his role play regarding his old bar job in St Albans to Helm's satisfaction was described at length as a "total fucking prick".
This is ultimately driven by an understanding that in character, Helm's anger is really directed at himself. But there are times when this becomes frustrating to watch. Nonetheless, he remains a strong, compelling stage presence.
Having seen his last three Edinburgh shows in various incarnations, I know what I'm going to get from David Trent. A man standing in front of a projection screen mocking various videos from around the web. I had grown a bit weary of the formula and the subjects of his ire have not changed dramatically. In the past he's focused on Google Glass and Nick Griffin, tonight it was the Apple IWatch and Katie Hopkins. The latter at least is particularly current and Trent has fun with those comparing Hopkins to Hitler on social media. The highlight of the set comes when Trent turns his derision on Apple's published statistics regarding the welfare of their factory workers. Here, his previously established formula is given an edge and I'd like to see more of this from him.
Joe Wells closed the half, with some of the political musings for which he has mostly become known. My issue with left wing comedy is that it invariably preaches to the converted and Wells occasionally falls into this trap. Largely though, it's an assured set with well crafted jokes.
After the interval came Diana Morgan, probably best known for her role as the dimwitted Philomena Cunk in Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe. I was uncertain what to expect from her stand up but greatly enjoyed her bleak worldview and descriptions of her upbringing, noting that her school was "so rough Johnny Cash came to play for us". Morgan also proved game when an audience member suggested an alternative end to a routine she was working on. A fun ending to a solid 20 minutes.
Headlining was Nick Helm. He's become an act with a cult following and doubtless will sell more tickets thanks to his role in BBC3's "Uncle". The fans of that sitcom unfamiliar with his previous work might be in for a surprise. Half an hour in the company of Helm's antagonistic persona will not be to everyone's taste. This sad, lonely wannabe rock star frequently turns on his own audience. Tonight, a man who did not participate in his role play regarding his old bar job in St Albans to Helm's satisfaction was described at length as a "total fucking prick".
This is ultimately driven by an understanding that in character, Helm's anger is really directed at himself. But there are times when this becomes frustrating to watch. Nonetheless, he remains a strong, compelling stage presence.
Comments
Post a Comment