Review: Mark Watson - The Information - Soho Theatre, London
Mark Watson
The Information
Thursday 2nd February 2012: Mark Watson brought his new show, The Information, to a packed Soho Theatre for the first of a three-night run. Well known after appearances on Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Live at the Apollo, Watson’s rambling style has always better suited longer, solo standup performances than panel shows where the one-liner is king.
As you enter the theatre, a barcode is displayed on a screen on stage. This barcode links audience members to a website where they can vote for pre-show music and the clothing Mark wears on stage. On this occasion, the audience chose Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture to accompany Watson’s entrance and the theme of interactivity was continued throughout the show.
Watson's new show focuses on the availability, accessibility and reliability of information in the internet age; Watson discusses public spats with other comics, common misconceptions due to wikipedia and keeping uncomfortable truths from his son in an age where google provides access to the answer to any question. Mixing witty observations, protracted stories and improvisation with the audience, Watson is likeable while maintaining an insecure, almost neurotic persona. His constant assessment of his performance and the audience’s reaction to it played in to this on-stage character and helped build a strong rapport with the room.
The Information is a well-written show, performed by a comic at the top of his game. I urge you to see it if you have the chance, you won't regret it.
Review by Tom Herne & Desi Aleksieva
Thurs 2 – Sat 4 & Weds 8 – Fri 10 Feb, 7.45pm
Soho Theatre - Downstairs
£15 (£12.50)