Mark Watson @ The Stand, Glasgow, 9 Nov

With nervous energy Watson babbles out his material in enthusiastic bursts

Article by Emma Ainley-Walker | 07 Dec 2007

Perhaps it's because the Commonwealth have deemed it a proud day to be Glaswegian, but there is a definite 'love in' vibe in the packed Stand tonight. This feeling of goodwill is helped by headliner and master of anecdotal whimsy Mark Watson, who ends his set positively beaming about the friendliness of the audience. Everything he says is met with tsunami-like waves of appreciative claps or belly laughs as each punchline hits its mark, but then it's hard not to enjoy the awkward comic's style. With nervous energy Watson babbles out his material in enthusiastic bursts, so desperate to talk he's constantly interrupting himself. Some of his references are a little easy (Amy Winehouse, Facebook, etc) and fail to say anything new, but it's his personal stories, including the suicide note he wrote to his father after losing at Connect Four, that bring the extra comic perspective. His lyrical Welsh accent may be for show, but there's no doubt that Watson's talent is genuine. [Emma Lennox]

Reviewed online: Milton Jones (19 Nov) and Rob Deering (27 Nov)

http://www.thestand.co.uk