Mark Watson: 2011 Review

Written by: Olivia Phipps
Published: Monday 24th October 2011

It's not often that you enter a comedy gig to find the act already on stage - sitting quietly at a laptop with projector - typing entertaining notes about the audience as they flow in to find their seats. Before the show had even begun, Mark Watson had succeeded in dispelling the barrier between audience and performer with lovable charm and ease. Already it was clear we were in for a very special evening.

After a quick introduction, a running joke of the evening was unintentionally established when the microphone broke in two, several times. This was the cause of some superb improvisation, although on one occasion it did unfortunately spoil the punchline of what had been a story of snowballing anticipation. Nevertheless, despite understandably looking a little put out by the interruption, Watson adapted quickly and amusingly proceeded to continue the show in a faux angry manner without any amplification, until the problem was resolved. His stand-up experience certainly didn't let him down here, never once losing his direction or control.

Early on, he worked out the demographic of his audience: some knew him well, while others had little or no previous experience of his comedy. The latter group he sees as a challenge, a test to see if he can win over the whole crowd by the end of the show. He verbalises these deconstructions about the audience, and indeed about the gig itself, which creates a beautifully relaxed atmosphere, as well as giving an insight into the mind of Watson himself. In fact, even long after the show has finished there is much intelligence and creativity to be found in his method of comedy; what often appears to be a standard approach to stand-up (shown most often in his television appearances) is actually uniquely based more on deconstruction than construction. In any case, from the deafening cheers and applause he received, clearly the whole audience was on side by the end of the show.

The tour itself - Request Stops - stemmed from his internet blog, in which he asked people to request locations around the country that they would like to see him do a show. These were collected and the most requested places are now on the tour schedule, so as to allow everyone a chance to see him, instead of returning to the usual tour circuit towns and cities.

There are enough of his 'greatest hits' to grip newcomers, but not so many as to bore those who are familiar with his previous work. However, if your knowledge of Mark Watson extends only to his brief appearances on Mock the Week or 8 Out of 10 Cats, I urge you to see his full show. If you're lucky, you might even get a song...

The Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke on 21st October 2011.