Al Pitcher @ Redrooms Monday Night Thing

Dec 9 2008 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

KIWI comic Al Pitcher showed himself to be a master of versatility in Perth Theatre's Redrooms for the final evening in this autumn’s series of The Monday Night Thing..

Pitcher – a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe since 2004 – tried every trick in the book to impress the relatively sombre crowd during a set that lasted over an hour.

Set-piece gags about his childhood and globetrotting adventures, part of his recent Tiny Triumphs tour, were mixed well with madcap monologues and banter with the crowd.

His relaxed demeanour and rapid delivery allowed for a raft of topics to be considered.

Everything from the global financial crisis, now seemingly a veritable gold mine when looking for a quick quip, to his obsession with his own bodily functions, came under the microscope.

Most of the material on the verbal rollercoaster – except a few unpolished anecdotes that were perhaps being perfected for his upcoming nationwide tour, Al Pitcher's Picture Show– was well received.

But the relatively small crowd took a while to appreciate some of the other humour on show.

Local funnyman Bruce Fummey had trouble getting anything more than a self-conscious smile in his role as MC as the Perth public took shelter from the bitter cold at the start of the evening.

And, after introducing 2007 Scottish Comedian of the Year, Sean Grant, the temperature only just rose above sub-zero.

The Glaswegian's yarns on life growing up in his native Govan, and his twisted take on family-life and fatherhood, largely fell flat.

One disgruntled customer even chose to leave mid-way through his 20-minute set.

The absconder was clearly not a fan of a deadpan delivery that, while largely unsuccessful here, showed glimpses of his award-winning credentials.

Any other audience members thinking of making an early exit will have felt vindicated by their decision to stay for Pitcher's performance.

His energy, and ability to use the subdued nature of the crowd to his advantage, meant the initially frosty reception was turned on its head.

Resulting in a send-off that verged on the polar opposite.

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