Mark Watson

Mark Watson

All the thoughts I’ve had since I was born 
Melbourne Town Hall
10 – 25 April

Ritalin wasn’t in vogue when a young Mark Watson went to school – or I’m sure he would be on a different path (and we would have seen another comic).  Lucky for us, as this UK up-and-comer got plenty of laughs in his mile-a-minute delivery.

At 7:15pm, the crowd’s anticipation started to grow.  All eyes were glued to the mic stand on the middle of the stage, and then, a voice – but the stage still empty.  Mark Watson appeared halfway up the stairs and began his show in a less formal “greet the crowd” style.  His rationale was to create the mood and prep the crowd for things to come.  He assured us that whoever made the decision to buy tickets to his show was at least somewhat justified and that he was not going to lash out at the crowd.  It was a gamble we decided to take.

The theme of the show was stress, revolving primarily around how he went to the hospital a year ago due to his highly stressful life as a comic,  and how a self-help book gave him the three keys to improving his over-indulgent twenty-nine years.

Rambling a thousand words every ten seconds stories seemed to get off track but witty one liners were actually more entertaining than the  story line.  Then, miraculously, he brought us back to the plot, but only for a few phrases, and back down another punch line filled detour.

The late arrival is always a favorite with comedians.  Mark was no exception.  But instead of a simple one-off five minutes into the show Mark greeted half a dozen groups of late comers and made it kind of a side show that lasted well into his set.  It even came to a natural climax as one gentleman came in over halfway through the show and got a huge laugh with the simple excuse “My wife was getting ready.”  She was so embarrassed she stayed outside, so like every good comedian looking for quality improv Mark sprinted off the stage to chase her down.  No luck, and ramblings went on.

Overall, I know I smiling for the better part of an hour with a few belly laughs mixed in.  The story line was hard to follow but I think that was the plan.  His delivery was fast and furious with a choppy edge that was brilliant in punch line delivery.  He had my attention from minute one and I know most of the crowd was disappointed when his time was up.  Melbourne, check out Mark Watson, and definitely welcome him back next year.