Thomas Neumark Live!

Thomas Neumark Live!

27 August, 2009
by: Emma

'London is a lot like a homeless person in that it smells.' Not one of the best openers I've heard at a stand-up gig but perhaps not the worst either. It's a bizarre scenario for a comedy show: the time is 4:15pm and I'm watching Thomas Neumark Live! at the Camden Head as part of the month-long, all day Fringe festival that's spread over several venues in the area. There are about 7 people in the audience and we are split into two factions – 5 friends on one side and 2 critics on the other. As Neumark puts it: 'I feel like I'm being assessed on one side by my friends who are thinking 'have I heard this before?' and on the other by you guys who are thinking 'what on earth is he talking about?'

Once we are done with the pleasantries of introductions and some bizarre bits on London such as how we should make raping Britney Spears an Olympic event, Neumark moves onto his material, which is better. He deconstructs some news stories including one on the Queen's representative in Canada, Michaelle Jean, outraging campaigners by eating a seal's heart (when asked whether it was a message to the EU she replied: 'take from it what you will') and another science article on how teenagers should not rely on Coca-Cola as a contraceptive (it was rumoured the bottle provided a convenient 'shake-and-shoot' applicator). Robin Ince he ain't, but Neumark has a keen eye for ridiculous news and some witty asides to underline it.

The direction of the show constantly skitters, as we move clunkily from London to funny news stories; followed by an embarrassing sex anecdote and a blues song. Highlights are a quip about Susan Boyle ('It's like watching Britney on fast-forward') and a ditty about a Waitrose queue, a comical hybrid of husky blues and a mundane supermarket row. The nadir is the final anecdote which appears to have no punchline forcing him to tell us it's the end of the gig.

But credit should be awarded here. For a newcomer, Neumark was supremely natural and confident; never faltering for a second performing in close proximity to his friends and critics. With less of the in- yer-face controversy and some structure, the show would be vastly improved.


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Emma