Tim Minchin at the City Hall, Sheffield, 11th October
Some people believe music and comedy should never mix, that it all concludes to bad songs and stranger than fiction jokes, but recently it's become the most popular form of comedy.
Everything from The Mighty Boosh to Bill Bailey is inching musical comedy towards the mainstream, yet Tim Minchin appears to have drifted under the radar. Dressed in a long heavy jacket with a metal belt, big hair and eyeliner, he's the Australian Russell Brand- except surprisingly stranger in character. As he creeps awkwardly onstage, as the shy quirky comedian and begins to play, the first half is Minchin discovering the rock star inside. But although the character is very adorable, he's not entirely convincing as a uncomfortable performer. As he begins with 'So Rock' we quickly learn Minchin is not only capable of being a rockstar but also extremely funny. His songs slowly unravel until they're not only touching subjects normally considered bizarre and stupid in stand up, but they also have a decent tune, and if you're lucky enough a sing-a-long chorus.
Everything from The Mighty Boosh to Bill Bailey is inching musical comedy towards the mainstream, yet Tim Minchin appears to have drifted under the radar. Dressed in a long heavy jacket with a metal belt, big hair and eyeliner, he's the Australian Russell Brand- except surprisingly stranger in character. As he creeps awkwardly onstage, as the shy quirky comedian and begins to play, the first half is Minchin discovering the rock star inside. But although the character is very adorable, he's not entirely convincing as a uncomfortable performer. As he begins with 'So Rock' we quickly learn Minchin is not only capable of being a rockstar but also extremely funny. His songs slowly unravel until they're not only touching subjects normally considered bizarre and stupid in stand up, but they also have a decent tune, and if you're lucky enough a sing-a-long chorus.
A song titled 'Anger (Feet)' is one of the highlights as Minchin plays a torrettes sufferer dealing with anger, but slowly as he transforms, the piano melodies take over and the show becomes more audience friendly. The problem arises however, when Minchin launches into an overlong piano solo- he's just too good. While many musical comedians, are usually quite ill equipped when it comes to musical skill, he appears to put the music before the jokes, resulting in a handful of songs that could easily appear on Radio 2. Also with this show stretched to a whopping hour and three quarters, the material is thin in places, yet the highs are usually pretty fantastic. As he finishes the interval with 'Canvas Bags', a song about taking canvas bags to the supermarket it moves into a rock anthem, ending in a rap breakdown as Minchin drags a huge fan onstage to achieve a ridiculous windswept look. As he stands, shirt unbuttoned, in a jesus pose it confirms Tim Minchin is a not only a musician but a bizarrely funny one at that.
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