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Live Laughs: Tim Minchin

Written Monday, 26th October 2009 for The Sun by Tommy Holgate

My girlfriend is in town for the weekend, and I get her tickets to a comedian she's never heard of.

A risky move, some might say.

Not on this occasion, however, as the tickets are for none other than Aussie piano-virtuoso-genius Tim Minchin.

With performance origins in theatre, this long-haired lyricist is hugely at ease with the stage, and makes full use of the high-budget facilities of a major venue.

The start of the show is hugely extravagant, with lights beaming all around the room set to a booming musical intro akin to the opening of a stadium rock gig.

Later on, laughably over-elaborate use of the smoke machine draws intended giggles from the captivated crowd.

On Jonathan Ross last week, Tim - referring to his early days in comedy - said: "It soon became apparent that people preferred it when I just showed off a little bit."

That was certainly the case this weekend.

At points you forget it is a comedy show because the music is so good, but this only means it is a pleasant surprise when you burst out laughing again.

The man is clearly worshipped by fans, who gave a rock star's response to the 34-year-old's introduction of favourites including eco-warrior parody Canvas Bags, moody Dark Side and the especially lyrically sharp opener Only A Ginger.

A personal highlight involved the opening track of the second half Bears Don't Dig On Dancing, a 'political comment' about the plight of the dancing bears, which resulted in tear-inducing jollity.

The father-of-two undoubtedly possesses divine intellect, and applies his knowledgeable enthusiasm for logic - and dis-belief in Christianity and creationism - in a manner so accurate and assured that any opposing opinions would struggle to stand up against him.

This mindful ability is exercised most notably in the nine-and-a-half minute jazz-backed beat poem that systematically deconstructs the notion of alternative medicine, using reason and (what some people might call) common sense to argue against a fictional hippy at a dinner party, who believes in things like auras and angels.

The fact that this section arrives mere minutes after the stage is packed with breakdancing bears gives some indication as to the depth and range of ideas on display

This charismatic composer is so talented that there are times where I believe his ideas and songwriting skills are almost too complex for one man to do them justice.

I start to imagine what would happen if Tim Minchin created a musical... then I remember he is penning a stage version of Matilda, and relax in the knowledge that his vast capabilities have been given an outlet that stretches beyond the parameters of one-man live comedy performance.

Although let's hope he never stops doing that either.

(source)

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