Noel Fielding has been playing secret gigs recently. Our contributor Mog managed to catch him in the act this weekend. This is her review of Noel Fielding’s secret gig, 21st February 2010.
That likeable stage presence in action!
Finally. The detective work had paid off, so I packed away the deerstalker and headed off to WC1 for the latest secret Fielding gig.
A half-empty tiny room in the basement of an Australian theme pub isn’t the most auspicious venue for a comedian that’s more used to selling out several dates at the O2 (a fact that wasn’t lost on him), but the audience were warm and friendly, the beer was cold and cheap, and it provided the ideal setting for Noel to try out some new material and build on his core set. No squeeing. No old skool jury sitting in judgement. Perfect.
It was classic Fielding in action: fantastical, weird and silly meandering stories that took in flamingos, Poirot, jellyfish, Marilyn Manson making him packed lunches and more, delightfully underpinned with his unique on stage charm. For me, it’s this which sets him apart from other comedians. Other stand-ups may be better at remembering their jokes, they may be more prolific writers of new material, they may have gags that have actual endings, but none of them can touch Noel’s likeability on stage. It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it is (his humility? his childlike energy and joy? his obvious affection for and appreciation of the audience? the panda jumper?), but whatever it is works wonders, wonderfully. By the end I felt like I’d had a warm cuddle, a tickle and a twirl around the room from ten of the best dreams I’ve ever had. If that makes sense.
I’ve seen Noel’s stand up a few times but last night was the first time I’ve seen him on my own, and it’s interesting what you notice when you’re not assimilating other people’s opinions. What I noticed at last night’s gig is how his stories grow and ripen with each telling. His jokes evolve from one gig to the next, primarily due to new ideas that pop into his head as he’s telling them. In fact you can spot when he discovers a new angle on an existing gag from the look of joy on his face, and it happens quite regularly. Each time he recounts a joke he creates new diversions, new connections, more layers. It gets better and better. Like a painting, constantly changing and thickening with new paint strokes, and slowly becoming a different painting over time. It’s this that makes for repeated viewings. By contrast his newer material, while fresher, currently feels less rich. But with a few more tellings, I suspect the gloriously whimsical cul-de-sacs and overlays upon overlays will be there.
In summary then, not a bad night out for a fiver: 8 comedians including Noel and the rather marvellous ‘Fielding in waiting’, Joey Page. Today I have a smile on my face.
Catch him if you can.
Cult US comedian Sarah Silverman appeared in her tv show this week wearing a Mighty Boosh t-shirt. The episode, “Nightmayor” was the fourth of a ten episode run, which will also feature Rich Fulcher and Matt Berry later this season, and as you can see from the handy screenshot, she was touting the classic green electro shirt sold on the first post-telly live tour back in 2006.
