Tim Minchin @ Parr Hall, Warrington – 4th September 2009
September 5, 2009 12 Comments
It’s been over two months since I’d last been to see any live comedy, so I was more than ready for Tim Minchin’s show ‘Ready For This?’, last night. I’d not seen much of Minchin before, and didn’t entirely know what to expect, other than his act largely relying on comic songs. Comedy music is notoriously difficult to pull off, with Bill Bailey and Flight of the Conchords being notable exceptions, but since Minchin is so widely acclaimed, I went in with an open mind.
His entrance, to the accompaniment of a booming rock track, left me a little non-plussed, while other sections in the audience were in near rapture. His first full song, whilst funny, contained a twist that you could see coming a mile off, yet many in the audience gasped with delight. I wondered if I had come to the right show.
I needn’t have worried, as the show immediately picked up from there, and I was left dazzled by the sheer talent of the man. He managed to seamlessly combine stand up, music and poetry so well that it made me seethe with jealously. Luckily, Tim is incredibly likeable, and sprinkled his set so liberally with anti-religious and pro-science material, that maintaining my envy became too much effort. The highlight ,for me, was a 9-minute beat poem about critical thinking, which was a masterclass in performance and memory. It also destroyed many of the arguments used by proponents of alternative medicine with such good humour, that even they would feel churlish in objecting to it.
The only slight downside to the evening was the large proportion of the audience that were Minchin groupies, who greeted each song with such a ruckus that it made me feel like I was intruding on somebody’s private party. Also, a similar demographic within the crowd laughed so orgasmically at everything he said, that I felt guilty when I only chuckled. I guess it is ultimately a tribute to the man for inspiring such a dedicated following.
The show ended with an emotional encore, followed by an enthusiastic standing ovation, the best reaction I’ve seen a performer get at any of the gigs I’ve been to. You can only imagine Mr Minchin going on to greater success, and with the rumours of a HBO TV series, I felt lucky to have had the chance to see him at such an intimate venue.
About sherby57
Totally agree….. he is extremely intelligent, funny and such a talented pianist I feel he will go really far in the future….. some of his material I had seen before and was hoping that it would all be new material but to hear stuff I had only seen on tv, live, was like a new experience so I wasnt too disappointed. I took my parents so I felt responsible for them to like him….. they thought he was amazing…. so I was spared any embarrassment.
I was quite far back in the Lowry so am soooo jealous of how close you were… very brave of you too as he does tend to pick on the front row.. but all in good taste.
I dont think I can wait for a next tour to see him again…… !!!!
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Couldn’t agree more. Tim Minchin is amazing. True true talent. What I like most about him is that, even though I already knew all the songs and the punchlines that were coming, he still manages to make the jokes appear fresh. You can’t fake charisma.
Looks like we just have the same sense of humour as I also went to see Michael Smiley at the Comedy Store on Saturday. Funny guy. I met him last time he was doing stand up in Leeds, and he told me he still has the yellow outfit from Spaced. Legend =]
You really can’t beat live comedy, it’s an amazing talent to be able to just get up and entertain with just words. Of course, in Mr Minchin’s case, he uses music too!
Did you go to the Comedy Store in Warrington or Manchester? I think they have the same line-up in both places – although not quite sure how they work out the logistics of that!
I too went to see Tim Minchin at Warrington. In fact I was sat next to you. I was the girl eating Haribos!!! Do you remember our hands touched slightly when I dropped a gummy bear on your chair!! I love you. Oh enough about me and you – Tim was funny and an obviously very very clever man. Loved the dancing bear and his rant about the Guardian journalist!!! I did think some of his songs went on a little bit and the crowd was full of insane groupies but still an amazing show. Saying that even if I thought it was crap I wouldn’t say as he may write a song about me!!!
Hmmm..sat next to me, and we shared Haribos? I think you ring a bell. Only joking, of course I know you, and have spent many a lonely night since, thinking about your hand brushing against mine, and the surge of electricity than ran through my body. Oh gosh, I love you too.
Anyway, back to Tim. The Guardian journalist song was hilarious, it was worth listening to for the swearing if nothing else. Would you not be secretly be a bit proud if he wrote a song about you, even if he called you something rude?
You’re blog is lovely! Makes me proud of my homw town!! Keep it up…
Did you used to be in a band by any chance?
K
x
I spelt your wrong!
Hi Kate
Thanks for the compliment, it’s much appreciated
I hope you’ll come visit me again soon!
Sadly, I’ve never been in a band; I’ve got all the musical ability of a deaf gibbon. However, if you want to tell people that I used to be in a really cool band that’s more than OK with me
Cool band it is! Going to see any more comedy soon? We’re going to see John Bishop in Dec which should be good. We also saw Boogie Pete last Sat with our little girl; that was fairly funny, though not sure that was his intention.
K
x
Yeah, I’m going to see Rich Hall and Stephen K. Amos during this week and to the Comedy Store on Saturday. Keep tuned for the reviews!
Thankfully I didn’t go and see Boogie Pete; I think I would have looked a bit suspicious if I did!! I’m going to see John Bishop too so keep your eyes peeled for a cool band looking guy!
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