Dan Clark
Dan Clark signs, seals and delivers an enjoyable hour of well-worked standup
| 11 Aug 2007
"It's all about first impressions," notes Dan Clark. And it doesn't take long to realise that Dan Clark is, indeed, unfangled. After a musical introduction which sees Clark miming bongos on the heads of front-rowers (who, despite the well-worn musical mime routine, thoroughly enjoy a rhythmical moment of Clark's attention) the comedian settles into a routine which is consistently funny, though never spectacular.
Technology and human interaction loosely mark Clark's theme for the night, and, whatever observations he makes, it's just as well he underpins it with a fine display of audience interaction. Fully versed in the language of stand-up, Clark is able to knot nice twists in staples such as "where are you from?" while also doling out some choice comedic titbits: you can take his analysis of Deal or no Deal to the bank.
Amongst the succession of amusing observations, there are moments which don't really work: a routine about the English smoking ban is awkward, and can't really be passed off with his disclaimer "I know you've had the ban for a while in Scotland but..." Similarly, Clark's often curmudgeonly approach to technology sits ill at ease with the metro-sexual, tech-savvy man who quite clearly lounges behind the persona. However e-mail vexes him, I can't imagine the chap posting a letter.
In truth, however, Dan Clark signs, seals and delivers an enjoyable hour of well-worked standup. The envelope might not be stretched remaining, as it does, rectangular, unopened and sensibly stamped but it is a neat attempt to point the comedy spotlight at the contradictory forms of human interaction. Unfangled, yes. But unfunny? Certainly not.
Technology and human interaction loosely mark Clark's theme for the night, and, whatever observations he makes, it's just as well he underpins it with a fine display of audience interaction. Fully versed in the language of stand-up, Clark is able to knot nice twists in staples such as "where are you from?" while also doling out some choice comedic titbits: you can take his analysis of Deal or no Deal to the bank.
Amongst the succession of amusing observations, there are moments which don't really work: a routine about the English smoking ban is awkward, and can't really be passed off with his disclaimer "I know you've had the ban for a while in Scotland but..." Similarly, Clark's often curmudgeonly approach to technology sits ill at ease with the metro-sexual, tech-savvy man who quite clearly lounges behind the persona. However e-mail vexes him, I can't imagine the chap posting a letter.
In truth, however, Dan Clark signs, seals and delivers an enjoyable hour of well-worked standup. The envelope might not be stretched remaining, as it does, rectangular, unopened and sensibly stamped but it is a neat attempt to point the comedy spotlight at the contradictory forms of human interaction. Unfangled, yes. But unfunny? Certainly not.