The MC at this kind of show doesn't have to be outstandingly funny himself, although that helps, but they do have to perform two basic functions - get some energy into the audience as a prelude to introducing each act, and make sure the punters know who it is they're about to see. Levene failed on both counts - or all three if you include the 'being funny' bit. There's also one thing he must not do above all else - never blame the audience if things aren't going well. Guess what....
Aaron suggested he looked a bit like Uncle Fester. Sadly he lacks any of the sense of fun associated with the Addams Family. His material included jokes about the holocaust and cancer then, when we didn't laugh, told us he was being 'too dark' for us. Rather than drawing the obvious conclusion - he simply wasn't funny.
The first act was Barry Ferns, who had a tough job on his hands to lift the mood the MC had so effectively killed off. He did his best, and eventually resorted to a bit of musical audience participation, which succeeded in raising spirits and getting some enthusiasm on the go. Then he went off, Levene came on, and the clouds descended once more. It was impossible not to wonder how much better this show might have been had Ferns been the MC....
The next act was a woman whose name was mumbled so I've no idea who she was, and have no real wish to. She did nothing to improve matters. Number three was Andy Harland who showed flashes of potential, but didn't appear to have the experience to deal with a dispirited bunch who were wondering what they would have to put up with next. Finally an Australian called Craig mumbled-surname who, like Ferns, did his best to salvage what he could and had some decent lines. And came close to implying it was all our fault....
There should have been a fifth act, but they didn't bother turning up. Maybe they knew something.
Best avoided.
Relatively Normal is on in Opium at 13.45 until the 29th.
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