Before I went in, I felt like I was going to have to tread very gingerly in reviewing this show, being as it is a ‘work in progress’. In fact I was slightly suprised that my review ticket request was confirmed in the first place.
But, as it turns out, there’s really no need for ginger. Work in progress or not, Mark Watson’s new show is as funny and loveable as a baby orangutan.
On entering the venue the audience is greeted by “chatter” from Mark who sits at a computer typing snippits of conversation which are projected onto a large screen, in a way that’s faintly reminiscent of Claire Hooper’s 2006 show Oh which was performed without live vocals and in the same venue. This device works effectively in creating an informal and friendly atmosphere.
The show is loosely based around the issue of the kind of impact we have on other people and the world around us. It incorporates plenty of meadering asides, some of which were particularly satisfying to this reviewer, with Mark sharing pet peeves including people who systematically exaggerate and travellers bragging about their ‘achievments’.
As it says in the title this is a work in progress and Mark does have a cheat sheet of sorts at the back of the stage which he referred to once during the performance, but even this didn’t really distract from the flow. In fact the opposite could be said to be true. In it’s raw, unpolished form and in this intimate venue this show is endearing and I found myself warming to Mark much more than I have in the past. He’s only on for two more nights so catch it now before this show gets a shave and haircut, go see the scruffy version.
For more info and booking details check out the Melbourne Fringe Festival Website