British Comedy Guide

Rob Brydon Live

I saw Rob Brydon's live show last night and it was very, very good. For someone relatively new to stand-up he was a really polished, confident performer easily able to ad lib and change direction. But above all his audience interactions (probably because of his Keith Barret experience) was fantastic. He also got a semi standing ovation.

I'm a Rob Brydon fan anyway, but some of the people I went with weren't that aware of his previous work and found it all just as funny. And don't worry if you're not a Gavin and Stacey fan; it was only referred to for about 2 minutes. :)

I saw him do a set in Cardiff on the telly. It was brilliant. I think he's a real talent on many fronts.

He is great. Although I'm not sure how 'new' he is? Was this as himself, or as Keith?

He's touring as himself now doing material about his Welshness.

I saw him a couple of times as Keith Barret and he was excellent then as well. I probably won't get to see him again sadly unless he decides to do some very long-distance touring.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ March 22 2009, 1:03 PM GMT

He also got a semi standing ovation.

Pardon?

The whole set wasn't about being Welsh - I think (from the documentary I saw) this was the starting point for the show. It's evolved now to include stuff about being a father, etc and some songs too.

Aaron - I meant he was new to stand-up in that he wasn't someone who gigged five nights a week for five years before making it big. :)

I'd love to see him live. I think he's great at everything he does comedy wise. I enjoyed his appearance on QI recently.

I took a quick look at his Twitter account and he says he had a good gig on Friday in Wycombe. James Corden came on at the end and sang Islands in the Stream with him apparently. Not that I want to start another JC debate, but I'd have enjoyed it!

Jx

I'm going to see him at the end of April and really didn't know what to expect - which is a shame because he is one of my favourite people, but I'm glad you enjoyed it though, and now I'll be more excited than sceptical.
:)

Saw him last night in Reading. Very average in my opinion.

His scripted stuff is an odd mix of winding tales that go nowhere (or to a very weak pay off at best) while he injects some odd "I'm a bit of an arse" stuff that would suit Jimmy Carr but not Rob "nice guy" Brydon. "I've got a younger, blonder wife now" about his divorce felt a bit off.

The Welsh stuff drags....we get it, Welsh are miserable, they f**k sheep, it's odd when they sing songs that aren't by Tom Jones.

And the audience interaction was not all that good either. He rolls out a lot of standard responses to people that you just know he uses every time and relies on the fact 99% of those there can only hear his half of the chat.

Odd audience as well.....lot of older people who seem to have jumped at the chance to see someone their own age and lots of G&S fans too. It was summed up by him asking for requests for songs (pity he didn't ask for gag requests)...despite the G&S mob yelling out Beyonce, etc he decided an impression of Bruce Springsteen would be better and sang Dancing in the Dark and joked about the video...that's the one Bruce made in 1984! (That was actually one of his more up-to-date jokes though!)

Not bad, but not good either - and not helped by having a crap warm up guy who did 20 mins before a break. A) Crap warm ups who do gags about having a camp voice are not my cup of tea, and B) I don't need a cup of tea, or ice cream, or beer after just 20mins! It was over 1hr after the show started before Rob got on stage....by then he was facing an uphill battle with me!

Edited by Aaron.

Quote: Tiggs @ March 22 2009, 4:11 PM GMT

Odd audience as well.....

I was one of the 'odd audience'. :) Funny how my take on the show was so different to yours.

What comedy do you usually enjoy? Who have you seen live that you've really liked? And how old are you?

I like all sorts, Chris Rock to Michael McIntyre.....seen Carr, Evans, Izzard, Connolly, Dara, etc, etc live over the years...i.e - anyone who is remotely succesfull. I like Marion and Geoff, and (a bit) G&S...in fact, I like Brydon - he's just not all that funny and is riding on the back of being a charming chap and G&S fame.

Oh, and I'm 35 so at least I knew what the Dancing in the Dark video looked like!

Quote: Tiggs @ March 22 2009, 4:42 PM GMT

he's just not all that funny

His work on Marion And Geoff and Human Remains proves that to be false as far as I'm concerned!

Yes, I meant he's not that funny as a stand up, as his work at the Reading Hexagon proves to be true as far as I'm concerned.

I've seen lots of stand-up in small comedy clubs, big comedy clubs and big touring shows by the likes of Jack Dee, Vic & Bob, Harry Hill, Steve Coogan, etc and honestly I thought Rob Brydon - at the very same show as Tiggs - was very very good and from what I could see and hear, so did the rest of the audience.

Tiggs were you seated in the balcony by any chance?

Ooh - a difference of opinion!

I'm intrigued now, especially as I'm watching him in Manchester next Sunday...

Share this page