Mark Watson 2008 Review

Mark Watson, at the reasonably sprightly age of 28, is already a Fringe legend.Winner of the inaugural if.comedy panel prize and nominated for the 2005 Perrier newcomer award, he has hosted three marathon comedy gigs spanning between 24 and 36 hours in the Scottish capital.His 2007 set, Can I Briefly Talk to You About The Meaning of Life, was a true highlight of last year’s festival, the epitome of a five-star comedy show. On the back of this performance, Watson is playing to sell-out crowds in the largest theatre he has yet performed in. It is with all this in mind that one leaves All the Thoughts I’ve Had Since I Was Born pretty disappointed.

It’s not that Watson’s not as engaging, he is; nor that his performance isn’t absolutely committed, it is; it’s the material.It’s pretty woeful.Watson is a master at highlighting and exploiting our love of the daft.His trademark examination of the minutiae of modern life, turning the mere act of leaving the house into a major adventure with a perfect level of silliness, is a delight to behold.But this year, the writing just does not hold up: it’s a little tired, dare we even say… a little boring.We find him discussing the Travel Lodge, hen-nights and Gillette adverts but with all the personality, originality and bizarre musings of last year missing.

Of course, this set is all held together by Watson’s supernatural energy and he is just, simply, a naturally funny man.There are, most certainly, laughs to be had but expectations simply are not met.

It seems this review is destined to act as a comparison between Watson’s 2007 and 2008 offerings but in truth there is no comparison.Can I Briefly Talk to You… was desperately close to perfection, All The Thoughts I’ve Had… is merely good.

Read our review of Mark Watson at Fringe 2007.