MICF 2011: Andrew O'Neill - Out of Step
It's too easy to pigeonhole Andrew O'Neill as the transvestite metalhead occultist comedian - because, of course, that's what he is. But he's also a smart, funny, brilliantly off-kilter comedian, as his new show Out of Step demonstrates.
The key theme is that Andrew is out of step with mainstream society, both in the obvious ways (see above) but also because he's a misanthrope who's against war, racism and homophobia. Serious stuff, but expressed in a hugely funny way. Anecdotes about the joys of being a straight bloke in a black frock give way to improvised attempts to divide everything in the world into metal or goth (there's a difference), and taking the piss out of religion gives way to a story about getting into a fight on a bus despite having no skill or interest in violence. Then at the end we all sang a classic rock song. I won't tell you which one.
Andrew's comedy is cracklingly fast and bewilderingly random, prone to suddenly bursting into song or brandishing his tattoos for a surprise laugh. It's an absurd, high energy style that sweeps you up and keeps you going through sheer momentum. Sometimes it possibly carries people along despite themselves; I thought he was pretty consistently hilarious, but some material seemed a bit opaque to other audience members, who stayed mostly silent while I nearly wet myself. And it has to be said that the bus-fight story, while entertaining, was often a bot lacking in laughs.
But still, minor quibbles. If you like your humour sharp, smart and left-field, you're not easily offended, and you like to hear people take the piss out of Cradle of Filth - and who doesn't? - then get in fast to see Andrew O'Neill before he fucks off back to England. Their gain, our loss.
The key theme is that Andrew is out of step with mainstream society, both in the obvious ways (see above) but also because he's a misanthrope who's against war, racism and homophobia. Serious stuff, but expressed in a hugely funny way. Anecdotes about the joys of being a straight bloke in a black frock give way to improvised attempts to divide everything in the world into metal or goth (there's a difference), and taking the piss out of religion gives way to a story about getting into a fight on a bus despite having no skill or interest in violence. Then at the end we all sang a classic rock song. I won't tell you which one.
Andrew's comedy is cracklingly fast and bewilderingly random, prone to suddenly bursting into song or brandishing his tattoos for a surprise laugh. It's an absurd, high energy style that sweeps you up and keeps you going through sheer momentum. Sometimes it possibly carries people along despite themselves; I thought he was pretty consistently hilarious, but some material seemed a bit opaque to other audience members, who stayed mostly silent while I nearly wet myself. And it has to be said that the bus-fight story, while entertaining, was often a bot lacking in laughs.
But still, minor quibbles. If you like your humour sharp, smart and left-field, you're not easily offended, and you like to hear people take the piss out of Cradle of Filth - and who doesn't? - then get in fast to see Andrew O'Neill before he fucks off back to England. Their gain, our loss.