OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 11 January 2009

Jason Manford

FROM THE moment Jason Manford stepped on to the stage of Eden Court’s One Touch theatre his self-assurance and ease with the capacity audience was evident. His warm manner immediately relaxed the audience, giving the over-riding impression that you were listening to a mate in the pub relating anecdotes from last week at work.

He is exceptionally talented at working a crowd, very quickly bonding with the young audience, many of whom seemed to have been attracted to the show by Mannford’s TV appearances in Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats. Manford is still a relatively little known comedian. This is his first national tour and his reputation is founded on his work on the comedy circuit, at the Edinburgh Fringe and on TV.

His instant rapport with the audience showed outstanding skill in bonding with a crowd and his speed and wit in responding to the comments and heckles he received revealed that below his casual matey exterior there dwells a sharp, agile intelligence. It is in his quick asides and banter with the audience that Manford is at his best, and it was there the highlights of his performance appeared.

His own prepared material lacked sparkle and was, at times, a little predictable. His anecdotes about driving and living with his brother and irate dad were well delivered but, at times, telegraphed their punch lines a little. His subjects were always safe, and he very much stayed clear of any lines of contention.

Overall his style was close to Peter Kay, but without Kay’s energetic delivery. Although the Inverness audience never exploded with applause at any of his stories there was always a happy burble of laughter in the air and few can have left disappointed with a professional and well-honed act.

To his credit, Manford sustained the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere beyond the interval, a break that often derails less experienced comedians used to a fifty-minute Fringe slot. It was only after he had taken his applause and returned to the stage for a question and answer session, of over twenty minutes, that his lack of pace began to show.

The questions from the audience mainly related to back stage gossip about TV celebrities, Big Brother and football. Whilst a large proportion of the audience were clearly interested in these topics, it is reasonable to assume that a fair proportion were also bored by them, and he lost a sizable chunk of the audience by giving way to rambling banter. At the end of the show Manford had been on stage for well over two hours and had clearly given value for money although a tighter show with a more memorable ending would probably have served his reputation better.

Mannford’s ease in relating to an audience will no doubt ensure that he continues to enjoy a growing reputation as a stand up, with more TV appearances and, almost certainly, the role of game show host heading his way. Although he would perhaps have been well advised to follow the comedy dictate “less is more”, he nevertheless provided a great show, and the audience were well entertained by a comedian of whom we will certainly hear more.

© John Burns, 2009

Links

• Jason Manford
• Eden Court Theatre