Gonzo's comedy Night 24/06/16 The RETURN

Ah, this feeling I have sorely missed.

I must first apologise for our quiet departure on my behalf. Due to work commitments I had to take a minor sabbatical, but fear not. The Teege has returned to critique, and bring back what is needed throughout the world.

The Norwich comedy scene continues to grow and expand, outperforming its own heights at every turn. I've had the pleasure of attending several gigs throughout the Fine City during the quieter months of White Mason Reviews, and from Gonzo's and the Birdcage to the Comedy Crypt, there's both established and newfound talent deserving your attention.

 

           Olly Watson

So without further ado we return to one of Nelson's fine comedic evenings. Gonzo's remains the hub of this performance, and with a quieter than normal audience, it brought forward new material from the lineup.

To start with Olly Watson took to the stage. Now my counterpart here had been doing some research at another venue in town, and I believe he has previously seen this act, but for my first time on viewing the performance it was a little... well, dry. 

Simply standing there with his prompt cards, delivering single line jokes on simple topics, there were one or two that made me smile, but overall it was rather underwhelming. Lose the cards and interact with the audience more and you might be onto something. This act was short and sweet like my review - 1/5 stars.

Alackaday, dear sweet Teege, that the finer arts again go right over your head. Olly Watson is not a stand-up comedian - he is a performance poet. His rhymes and verses go from satirical to introspective, with the short and rapid-fire poems often hinging on the surreal and profane. I am happy to confirm that he's performed in a similar style at the Comedy Crypt, and indeed once before at Gonzo's, to great acclaim. I feel like the audience, crestfallen over recent UK political strife, simply wasn't quite ready for his barrage of poetic musings, but I feel like he'll come back stronger for it - so although 2/5 stars might seem stingy, rest assured I've a lot of time for Olly's performances in the broader sense. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing his readings again.





  Ross Downes

Nelson's little mix up brightened up the audience, bragging about his black spear as always... honestly Nelson! Following on was Ross Downes. I have seen this man's works a few times, and there is always a smile but... (yes Mr White - there is always a but) the same material AGAIN! Honestly, given a four month break surely you would think about having some new material other than being a dad, with your ex-wife and your new girlfriend. There was a new joke to finish and it was probably the entire highlight for the act! 

So not refreshing. 1.5 stars... and the .5 is for the new joke!

Perhaps a mite harsh? Ross improves incrementally, and continues to do so - and what we sadly didn't get to see during the course of the evening, which Mr Downes brings to the fore when he is performing as MC at events such as the Comedy Crypt, is audience interaction. This off-the-cuff brilliance is something at which Ross actually excels, perhaps more than he realises - he's able to turn even the least talkative member of the audience into a cascade of comedic delights. If he could integrate that more into his conventional stand-up, I believe he'd excel all the more. 3/5 stars.

     Ryan Cross

We meet again Mr Ryan Cross. However, I have to say - bravo. Short and sweet with a little line up of new material, you graciously have found me wanting more. You have left the pits of despair and found yourself in a new light. Leave the dark material out of the way and let this charge forward - you will hit a new high! I'm giving a good all round 4 stars. 

Generosity from the Teege! Though not altogether unwarranted. Ryan Cross is a persistent part of the local comedy scene, and that perseverance shows in his material. If anything, I'd suggest he simply doesn't believe in it enough to quite bring it to its full potential - but the jokes are staying fresh and he's becoming one to watch. 3.5/5 stars.

Kyle Stewart




I remember this man. Be careful how you approach him as he can tear you to pieces in less than 10 words. Yet Kyle Stewart is one of my favourite acts, His opening gambit of blunt force humour to shock the audience into listening works a treat. His impromptu comedy, bouncing off the audience who try to stonewall him, is brilliant. Completely new material and it worked. A pleasure to see again. 4/5 stars!

Scattergun and sensational, Kyle's comedic chops are as finely honed as ever. Dancing across topics with cheerful abandon, he's got style and sass to spare - always a pleasure to watch, and consistently able to bring the house howling to hilarity. 4/5 stars

Alexander Oliver






Alexander Oliver returned to Gonzo's stage, and with completely new audience members some old material resurfaced with great joy. When Alex does a straight set he can work the stage magnificently. His off the cuff comedy and his quirky ways make a blend of socially awkward humour to relax the audience into his plighted corner of the world for a little giggle. As solid as always, with a mix of new jokes. 3.5 stars.

Freshly arriving at the venue in his oh so dandy hat, Alexander once again launched into his hyperactive volley of jokes, lines and setpieces. He's consistent yet evolving, and you can tell from the riffs and asides he blurts when on stage that he's thoroughly loving every minute. The audience consistently thinks likewise - 4/5 stars!

    Ellie

A special mention to Ellie, who was dared to perform on stage, actually did so and told the tale of getting stuck up a hill in Wales... good story. Forget the one liners learn how to use the stage and you could be one to watch! 

Now now Teege - I had a personal fondness for the pizza-videogame joke 'Calzone', although I fear I was the only one in the room who got it. Didn't stop me crumpling at the table in fits of giggles.

Gbemi Oladipo

Talking of hysterics, Gbemi Oladipo was performing that evening, replete with his unique brand of fast-paced prop-based comedy. He's come a long way since first teasing Gonzo's with a tree branch turned into his own personal Nigerian Selfie Stick jibe - and since that time, has been seen at several of the venue's performances, bringing the house down each time. Although he likely didn't rate his own performance highly - ever the perfectionist - Gbemi continues to do fantastic work, and is always a pleasure to watch, with each performance speaking of his ambition and meticulous fine-tuned humour. 4/5 stars.

Ah Gbemi, I remember you from previous performances and I recall I was of the belief that your act was wanting more. After hearing you again six months on, it's good to know your performance has advanced beyond what I imagined you could achieve. For anyone yet to see this man on stage, Gbemi brings a twisted, light view to the world from his more humble background. The quirks of his performance do not fail to bring a smile forward - however, there is still more room for improvement. Charge forth, I'm eager to hear more in a few months. 3/5 Stars.




 Dylan Gott

Now the headline act that night was Canadian Dylan Gott, one man on a mission to make people laugh from beginning to end.

I was guffawing from start to finish. From the man's journey in London stoned off his face, to topical Brexit issues had everyone in the room lit up. His delivery is superb, a really great headliner! Furthermore his tips on picking up women over the internet, great advice! His hipster dad look works too. Was a shame we didn't get to speak any longer after the set finished. Please return to Norwich, you must have more to deliver! You are not allowed 5 stars until you have returned! 4.5 stars! Quality comedy.


It definitely feels like Mr Gott brought a new hilarity-high - no pun intended - to our sleepy little city. Not a single one of his jokes missed, and even those he thought we didn't take to as much were remarked upon as us being a fussy audience, who he'd then impersonate to hilarious effect. From highbrow humour to bodily functions, nothing was beyond Dylan's reach - have you ever seen your friends laugh so much that they turn bright crimson and fold up like convulsing collapsed deckchairs? Dylan Gott's a man who makes that happen, and there are definitely some bright steps in his comedic future. A flawless 5/5 stars - and massive thanks to Nelson T Gombakomba Jr and the other performers for a sensational evening's entertainment.

White Mason Reviews would like to that Viktoria DeRoy Photography for the generous use of the images from the evening's splendorous entertainment.  You can find her work HERE!