Mark Watson tells us midway through his stand up show Search that he has been coming to the Fringe since 2000, and performing since 2001. It’s obvious from the beginning that he’s an expert stand up, a veteran of the Edinburgh Fringe.
I had never seen Watson live before, and only really knew him from his appearance on the TV show Taskmaster. His style of comedy feels so familiar from his television appearances and it was a delight to watch such a skilled stand up do his thing. I knew Watson would be funny, but this surpassed my expectations.
It’s not entirely clear when Watson starts the show as he has so much to say before he begins what seems to be his planned material – he just chats for a bit, slowly moving up the stairs onto the stage, eventually ending up in the centre of the stage, seeming almost surprised as to how he’s ended up there. Known for his fast talking and even faster thinking, Watson often gets distracted by another thought coming in to his mind, which he usually dismisses as a story to be told later on. This means that stories sometimes become convoluted, and the shown is often, as Watson himself says, running behind. This somehow makes everything even funnier.
Watson also approaches things with a degree of humility and vulnerability. He speaks about his son and his father, his divorce, all showing how Watson seems able to look at life with a bit of humour despite when things may seem not so funny.
Watson is adept at having a relationship with the audience – he calls us his favourite audience (I’m sure he says this to every audience). He chats a bit with some people nearer the front, has a laugh about one person who keeps trying to start a round of applause – he’s quick at thinking on his feet.
Mark Watson: Search is an excellent example of what a stand up hour should be. There are very few moments without laughter throughout the show as Watson tells us about everything, from school WhatsApp chats to how a rude customer at his teenage job gave him something of a desire for revenge. Mark Watson is a skilled and brilliant comedian, and this show is well worth a visit this Fringe.
Mark Watson: Search is on at 9pm in Pleasance One until 27 August (not 15, 17, 21, 22). Tickets are available here.
Image by Matt Crockett, provided to The Student as press material.