There seems
to be two performance stances to compering a stand-up show; there is the
comedian who simply throws easy questions to the audience to conveniently tie in
his/her standard material and then there’s the comedian who genuinely interacts
with the audience. The first style smacks of laziness and the second harbours
the danger of falling flat if the compere is inexperienced or receives untenable
reactions. Neither is a better style than the other if the desired results are
achieved.
Kevin Precious is a compere of
the latter qualities. He looked like a social worker and was well at ease
addressing every area of the room (rather than just picking on the front row)
and found himself travelling down many a self-proclaimed ‘comedy cul de sac’ as
a response allowed him nowhere to go. However, Precious did not fall flat as his
unabashed honesty and relaxed manner got the crowd on his side which allowed him
to free-wheel as often as he wanted and he did hit a positive mark more often
than not.
Precious is observational,
autobiographical and builds to a crudity that is charmingly naughty rather than
outrageously offensive. He is a natural compere establishes an immediate rapport
with his audience with his confidence and direct manner. Precious also manages
to make any reviewer discussing him talk like Gollum.
(On a side I noticed he has a
curious penchant for holding is left hand out whilst doing his delivery as if
trying to read from his palm but without wearing the appropriate reading
glasses).
Venue: Capitol
Arts Centre – Horsham
Date Of Show:
September 19th
2004
Place on bill:
Compere
