Mark Watson’s frenetic energy is infectious from the start of his new show I’m Worried that I’m Starting to Hate Almost Everyone in the World. He affects a nervous charm which is simultaneously self effacing and endearing.
The first ten minutes or so of the show involves some banter about the differences between Brits and Aussies, bringing in cultural references that his Antipodean audience could relate to. Although much of this kind of material felt a bit old hat, Mark’s natural energy and delivery carried it through and it did work effectively to warm his audience.
The show kicks into a higher gear when Mark starts out on the material proper. The show is loosely inspired by a mugging experience which has then led Mark on to categorise the seven deadly sins in his own unique way, asking audience members to randomly pluck objects out of a sack. This is one of the several points at which Mark brings in audience interaction, which he does with a natural and easy charm. One of the real highlights of the show was when Mark ventured out into the audience to find and taunt his ‘timekeeper’.
The concept underpinning the structure is somewhat secondary in this show, primarily providing a plateau for Mark’s rapid fire banter, making the show more a stand up oriented piece than any kind of thematic tome.
This show, Mark’s second in Australia, sees one of Britain’s most celebrated young comedians bring an hour of bubbling energy and observation to the stage. Mark takes control of his audience, generating laughter throughout the show as he invites his audience into his own, slightly neurotic, view of the world.
Mark Watson – I’m Worried that I’m Starting to Hate Almost Everyone in the World runs from Tuesday to Saturday until the 29th April. For details and booking details go to the comedy festival website