Tim Vine @ The Parr Hall, Warrington – 5th February 2010

I made a big point of saying that I don’t like jokes in last week’s write-up of the Jimmy Carr gig that I went to see, so you may find it surprising to find out that I went to watch Tim Vine on Friday.  I should probably clarify my position:  I don’t really like the sort of jokes that people tell you in the office, or that you find in ‘lads’ mags’, but I do love stupid jokes – this can be evidenced by my penchant for telling them, here.  Luckily, Tim Vine tells the stupidest jokes of all.

We missed the warm up act, due to a sat nav malfunction (a letter will be going out to the Binatone complaints department for a partial refund).  Fortunately, there was an experimental theatre troupe in the foyer performing an improv session about ‘da issues’, and this was highly entertaining.  Admittedly, this troupe did consist of me and Dr Angel, but we do find ourselves extremely funny.  It’s a gift.

Anyway, back to the real show.  I didn’t really know what to expect from Mr Vine, other than tons of jokes.  Well, there were certainly lots of jokes, but I didn’t foresee the barrage of wonderful surrealism and nonsense.  If you were to take examples of individual jokes you’d probably think that they were rubbish, but somehow they all combine together to make a show of the utmost hilarity.  Highlights included the song about a small piece of carpet and a jewellry box, his Bee Gees tribute and… well I could go on and on, and therefore ruin his act.  Also none of it actually sounds that funny unless you were actually there.  My advice is that you should just go and see him live, accept that he’s the daftest man on the planet and laugh your head off.