John Robertson: A Nifty History of Evil

By Briony Rawle

Although John Robertson’s stand-up show is billed on the EdFringe website as ‘Comedy (historical/stand-up)’, a measured chronological trudge through history’s most notable malefactors this ain’t. Robertson has simply created a show around his favourite bygone bastards and bitch-queens, and tells their completely unrelated and historically marginal stories with real, almost manic, fervour and sometimes admiration.

Robertson’s unapologetic Australian humour is delivered with articulate intelligence and salacious enjoyment, and his energy never wavers throughout this quick-fire show. He often takes the time, however, to interact with the audience in his ‘broom cupboard’ venue (so small that his booming microphone is entirely superfluous), and shows real warmth for his spectators. Robertson is a confident and accomplished comedian, with excellent timing and the balls to wait for a joke to drop if it’s a slow-burner.

It might have been the sleepy Sunday afternoon crowd that Robertson was playing to when I saw him, but although Robertson’s material was engaging and funny, I found myself chuckling more than belly-laughing. His simple but innovative lights-down lights-up technical idea added an interesting element to the show, but also put extra pressure on punchlines that sometimes didn’t quite hit the mark.

A Nifty History of Evil is certainly worth catching for those who like it edgy and clever, with some genuinely interesting historical material and a political bent. Although the show has been billed as 14+, this is certainly not an educational romp for families with teenagers; Robertson finished his show by dedicating the three empty seats at the front to the mother and two young boys who had walked out of his previous show when he had described the Marquis de Sade’s unorthodox method of administering communion wafers to French prostitutes.

John Robertson can also be seen in his live-action adventure game, The Dark Room, at the Underbelly Cowgate, 18th – 24th August @ 8.40pm.

John Robertson: A Nifty History of Evil

The Stand Comedy Club III & IV (Venue 12)

Aug 18 – 24th 15:30 (1 hour)

@Robbotron

★★★★

@PostScriptJour

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