Place on bill: 2nd Act

Venue: Creased Up - The Hawth,Crawley

Date of show: 12th May 2005

South African, Martin Evans is a simple act to quantify; he’s a funny guy.

            With so many comedians trying so many different techniques to keep an audience attentive, to give themselves a boost of confidence or an element of originality, it’s sometimes more novel and refreshing to find someone who is - well - seemingly just themselves; a comedian who isn’t playing a part or being a character but concentrating more on simply being funny.

            Evans eases the audience into his set with the old favourite ice-breaker - a burst of self-deprecation - and then he’s off on an expose of the cultural foibles of his homeland and ours. Neither is favoured over the other and neither receive a scathing attack but rather a light-hearted and widely acceptable account delivered in much the same manner that you would make in the company of friends. One particular highlight was a delightful yet somewhat disturbing psycho-sexual interpretation of after-hours kebab consumption.

            Evans isn’t particularly outstanding or dangerous but on so many occasions that type of comedian can fall foul and flat because of their own cleverness. Evans is a purist of the craft; consistent, competent and very funny which is all you can really ask for on a night out.