:: GussetBLOG ::

:: Saturday, April 12, 2008 ::

Dynamics

I saw Stewart Lee's "41st Greatest Stand-Up Ever" show at the Comedy Box in Bristol last night. I was also pleased to be able to buy a copy of his '90s Comedian DVD (show reviewed here, DVD available here) from 2005.

It struck me during the show what sets Lee apart from many of his contemporaries. It's something best described in musical terms: Dynamics. His performances have dynamics. The same way classical music does and pop music doesn't. He works through a whole range of emotions, from irritation and anger to loving care and sympathy. He whispers, he shouts, he smashes the mic against the mic stand, he throws the mic down and wanders into the audience to perform un-aided (I've seen Ian Cognito do this too but he only has anger mode), he appears close to tears at one point, he looks angry about the response some material gets, he laughs and seems to be enjoying himself, and he sits and chats to fans as they leave. I can't think of any other comedians who can work through that sort of repertoire every night and that's what I think makes him worth seeing. It's honest. It hasn't had all of the personality compressed out of it to appease the masses.

Labels: Comedy, Review

:: Dan 12.4.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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