Post by joem on Jun 10, 2022 15:40:34 GMT
I first saw him on Black Books and found him very funny and have been somewhat surprised that his career didn't take off in a bigger way. He seemed to me, particularly in his stand-up work, to be a bit like a Dave Allen update but also to have definite comic acting skills.
He's now doing a tour "How It Is" and I took the opportunity to see him in Reading last week. I must admit I left more worried than amused. Although parts of his routine were recognisably him - moans about technology, getting old, drinking - he drifted into introspection about lockdowns, divorce (he's going through one), ageing and fear of impotence. At some point it seemed as though he'd left the script and whilst urging the audience to be kinder with each other and look out for people with mental health problems he burst into tears. It wasn't part of the act.
The audience was sympathetic and supportive but it did look as though he is suffering some kind of crisis and it must be very difficult to try and be funny every night to an audience whilst going through that. I hope he will pull through this rough patch and find some inner peace.
He's now doing a tour "How It Is" and I took the opportunity to see him in Reading last week. I must admit I left more worried than amused. Although parts of his routine were recognisably him - moans about technology, getting old, drinking - he drifted into introspection about lockdowns, divorce (he's going through one), ageing and fear of impotence. At some point it seemed as though he'd left the script and whilst urging the audience to be kinder with each other and look out for people with mental health problems he burst into tears. It wasn't part of the act.
The audience was sympathetic and supportive but it did look as though he is suffering some kind of crisis and it must be very difficult to try and be funny every night to an audience whilst going through that. I hope he will pull through this rough patch and find some inner peace.