As the resident compere at York's hugely successful
"Other Side Comedy Club" (among others), Dan Atkinson's ramblings feel more akin to a mate
telling you their funny stories and observations. Fortunately he makes for a
funny "mate" and the casual style quickly wins over the audience.
The job of compere is a bit like CGI effects in a
movie. Not because they dodge exploding spaceships and morph into giant winged monsters,
but because those that are more understated, while still impressive in their own right, contribute
far more greatly to the show as a whole. Atkinson strikes the perfect
balance in this respect and the acts he introduces will no doubt recognise the
contribution he has made to making their jobs a little easier.
The content is as fresh as it gets. Performing in front of largely the
same audiences each week, a stock routine would soon wear thin, but Atkinson
knocks out new material at an alarming rate. Having seen him several weeks
on the trot I could spot just two gags I had heard before, and yet the
quality is consistent with a finely honed set.
Professional and unpretentious, he delivers his material with an
endearing wide-eyed "Hey! Guess what!" enthusiasm and it's plain to see why his club
is such a hit with both comics and crowds alike.
The Other Side - York - 2004 - Resident Compere
