The C-word

On Dave's One Night Stand

More Mark Watson videos

A former Cambridge Footlighter, Mark Watson first made an impact on the comedy circuit in 2002 when he won the Daily Telegraph Open Mic competition andwas a runner-up in So You Think You're Funny?

He has become known for his Edinburgh shows (2005's 50 Years Before Death And The Awful Prospect Of Enternity was nominated for the Perrier) and his gruelling shows that last more than 24 hours. Perrier's successor, the if.comeddies, awarded the panel award for best capturing the spirit of the fringe, in 2007.

Watson won the Chortle award winner for innovation in 2005, when he was also nominated for best breakthrough act, and was nominated for best compere in 2007.

He is also a novelist, with his debut Bullet Points, published in 2003; has written for TV and in 2007 landed his first radio series, Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better.

Mark Watson: Do I Know You?
Live Review
Hammersmith Apollo

There’s not many acts who, after playing the Hammersmith Apollo, tell the 2,000 or so members of the audience: ‘If you’ve enjoyed this, you’ve got every chance of becoming my actual friend’.

But Mark Watson’s gift is to be such a natural on stage all concern for the artificial dynamics of stand-up are blown away. It’s become something of a cliché to say of a comedian ‘it’s like chatting to your mate in the pub’, but Watson’s loose approach - commenting on his performance, interrupting his own stories and getting tied up in the moment - genuinely gives that impression, even here, at the biggest gig of his career so far.

There is a trade-off to this casual approach, however, in that it’s more difficult to build a sense of occasion. It’s hard to be wowed by spectacle when the backdrop is a PowerPoint slide Watson has put up without setting the display to full screen. And so inconsequential are some digressions, such as trying to guess which cities foreign audience members are from, that they barely qualify as stand-up. But while Watson might not do much, he does it very well.

Plus, of course, with such a lax form, Watson can employ his favourite tool: self-doubt. As many laughs come from him worrying about whether he’s slick and confident enough as a comedian as from him fretting whether he amounts to enough as a human, which is the (suitably) vague theme of the show.

Do I Know You? refers to the level of fame he has, with people hazily recognising him from the occasional panel show appearance, some off-peak TV and those Magners Pear cider adverts. His worries over whether he was right to taking the corporate shilling seem real enough, but his assertion that ‘I don’t think I’ll stoop that low again’ is only a joke: He’s done Innocent smoothies and he’s playing second fiddle in an IAMS advert to come…

The first half of this show is particularly casual (‘to soften you up,’ Watson tells the room) as he largely fannies around, trying to make something of the streams of latecomers and those heading for the toilets. I don’t think he’s making them literally piss themselves, just that the audience seem particularly weak bladdered tonight. It’s affable badinage, but not particularly sharp, and we must wait until after the interval for the meat of the show.

Thereafter, poceedings are a lot more focused; as he gets down to business with more hardened, easily identifiable routines about such things as the phrase ‘that took balls’ or observational segments about odd sneezes, all linked to a broad theme about the conventions of social interaction. That extends to his own fears about becoming a dad – not exactly original territory for a comedian, but Watson’s incisive self-deprecation and unaffected honesty give it a distinctive feel.

He’s also got a playful streak, whether in his extreme solution to his sock-drawer problems, or for his reason why he couldn’t be trusted to be the leader of the free world.

Although these routines are well-practised, Watson still makes them feel slightly unpolished, for better or for worse. Now and again a routine could do with being sharpened up, but the relaxed approach underlines his vulnerabilities, which he accepts with genial wit. No wonder you feel like you’ve made a friend…

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

I feel Mark is one of the best stand-ups Britain has produced. His clever observations on the absurdities of life and his cerebral, charming take on a wide range of subjects makes his act a must-see. His infectious energy and Welsh accent only heightens the hilarity of his material. Watson is truly a force to be reckoned with in the modern world of stand-up.

Imad Jafar, October 2010

Mark Watson has broken my mind. I think it'd be easier (post 24 hour show) if the country would all move to New Scottish Time and save us the bother of returning to GMT or BST or whatever the hell time it is

Misha, August 2009

Of course his real voice is good enough for comedic purposes and Welsh or not, he's one of the best comics in the country. I think Noel James is jealous and rightly so, Mark Watson is a star.

Anon, July 2008

Mark puts more energy in to his performance than any other comedian I've seen. His sense of fun is infectious. Highly recommended.

Cream Egg, January 2008

To his credit he doesn't talk in stereotypical ways about Wales. Nevertheless I still can't get over the fact that he never admits that he's not from Wales and does not have a Cymric accent in real life. It wouldn't bother me if it was a character act, but I don't think he is one...it's as if he's using the Welsh voice as he doesn't think his real one would be good enough for comedic purposes. Fine, but just come clean about it. For God's sake I've seen reviewers describe him as the 'best Welsh comedian'!?

noel james, January 2008

Pro's: I saw Marky boy a while ago.. and I though he was absolutely brilliant. Very very funny, made funnier by his accent and expression. 10/10 Cons: I have to wait three months to see him again in London. You must see him!

Matthew Armstrong, August 2007

Saw him for the second time last night. Hilarious. Laughed so hard and loud. again he did the "i don't believe in encores..." but a guy next to me whistled incredibly loud and yelled "encore" for 5 minutes straight and rendered me deaf – but it worked and he was back. Brilliant, I'll definitely be at the next gig and i wouldn't say "no" to attending a 24/34 hour show. my fave comedian at the mo.

moomin, July 2007

Wonderful radio - unmissable and very clever.

Rod Nelson, March 2007

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6