Comedy Festival review #18: Mark Watson


ALL THE THOUGHTS I’VE HAD SINCE I WAS BORN

By Mark Watson

Melbourne Town Hall – Main Hall

Tuesday - Saturday 7.15pm, Sunday & Saturday 18 at 9.15pm, until April 25

$29.50 - $36

Rating: **

Mark Watson describes his job as a comedian succinctly: “My whole life is to think things and blurt them out loud.”

On Sunday night, Watson had a lot to say, although little of any consequence.

Starting out amidst the crowd, “because nothing will relax you more than me prowling around the aisles,” the gangly comic launched into a manic and meandering monologue that took in everything from hen’s nights and the children’s television program Fraggle Rock, to the “exciting lottery” of going to the toilet on a moving train.

But for all his talk, Watson had nothing significant to say. His barrage of words was a smokescreen, concealing the fact that this latest work is both lazy and lightweight.

Watson can be an excellent and endearing entertainer, but this show – nominally about the amateur environmentalist’s attempts to de-stress after a hospital visit – is extremely lacklustre and very disappointing.


This review first ran in The Age on Tuesday April 14.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I am not sure which show the reviewer was watching. I avoid a lot of stand up because the performers are trying too hard to "do something craaaazy and different" rather than just being entertaining, clever and funny, but Mark Watson was right on the money for me. It was a thoroughly enjoyable hour and a bit, and (far from being someone too easily impressed), I was in hysterics for almost all of the show. HIGHLY recommended.
20/4/09 14:05
richardwatts said…
Anonymous - yes, some people were laughing, but my friends and I rarely were. This was a very safe, very lazy show - MOR comedy, as a review over at The Enthusiast noted...

It's all subjective, however, as I've said before. Thanks for commenting. Seen any other shows you liked?
20/4/09 21:44
Anonymous said…
To suggest that Mark Watson had nothing significant to say would seem to indicate that you were seeking deep social or political comment. To describe the performance as "lazy and lightweight" is more a reflection of your personal views on entertainment rather than a balanced viewpoint.

The vast majority of people who saw the show did find it highly entertaining.
21/4/09 17:28
richardwatts said…
"To suggest that Mark Watson had nothing significant to say would seem to indicate that you were seeking deep social or political comment"

Or that I was seeking a comedy act that engaged with more than superficial, surface structures and forms...
21/4/09 18:31
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