Talking about neurodivergence is broadly recognised as topical, even taboo in some cases — but not for South African-Manx stand up Pierre Novellie. Last night’s show at the Monkey Barrel tactfully highlighted what he, as well as the roaring audience, viewed as the funny side of living as an autistic person today.
Following the release of his autobiography Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things, Novellie comedically questions the rules of British society and why everyone else can’t seem to do things the right way: his way. The recurring point of reference here was his recent honeymoon to Japan, which raised a lot of questions as to why it can’t be as clean or as organised in England. However, he did not just detail one trip, but nimbly jumped between an interview with a Buddhist monk, visiting the barber, and a parrot infestation in his London home.
His perfect candour and straight-faced delivery is what really made my sides ache with laughter, not just the jokes themselves. The perfectly constructed anecdotes and what felt like tangents combined to make call backs to earlier jokes. The comedian-cum-author found the perfect balance between being self-aware and self-deprecating, while most would fall clumsily into one category or the other. Moreover, Novellie punctuated the hour with tidbits of trivia relevant to his amusing anecdotes. He ensured the audience knew when to expect them with the honk of a horn “like a Spanish exclamation mark,” to highlight he knew that these facts can be awkward, but eliminating that possibility simply by owning it.
So, if you’re anything like me, and appreciative of expert candid comedy honed by years at the Fringe, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you see this masterclass in witty story-telling as well as joke-filled rants before the festival finishes.
Pierre Novellie: Okay, One More Then Bed is running until 29 August at Monkey Barrel Comedy. Buy tickets here.
Image provided by Avalon Promotions as press material.
