Alex Maple: Stand Up

Recorded 2008

More Alex Maple videos

Finalist in the Laughing Horse New Act competition 2009

Alex Maple at the Laughing Horse New Act Final 2009
Live Review

Alex Maple is a strange fish, opening with some Jimmy Carr-style one-liners that are hit and miss, though do occasionally find a solid laugh. But then he moved on to a confusing and frustrating back-and-forth argument about religion – which occasionally slipped into Dr Seuss style verse, for no obvious reason – building up to a weak get-out line to end it. It’s possible Maple was trying something too ambitious for a short slot, but the result was rather baffling.

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I agree with Bill. His entire persona is copied from Jimmy Carr: his short un-PC jokes; his upright motionless stature; his ever-patronising sneer; and even in appearance (something, of course, he cannot help). These comparisons just highlight his lack of experience perhaps; he still feels uncomfortable revealing his true personality on stage. He has got some good jokes, nonetheless, but the strike-rate is inconsitent and his wavering attempt can lose the audience's concentration. Surprisingly, he has a line about who killed Princess Diana, which gains very little in laughs and he often starts his set with such a crowd-divider. Very odd. I've seen him on a few occasions now, mainly at New Act Nights, where it's crucial to build up experience and possibly he will mature with age and experience. I certainly hope so as some of his gags do show some promise, but just need to be re-jigged ever so slightly to boost the laughs. There are glimmers of hope, which need to shine in the not so distant future or else amateur will remain as his label.

Dave Townshend, July 2009

He does seem derivative of Jimmy Carr; it's uncanny because even his patronising tone is similar. And when you're comparing the standard of Carr's one-liners to any other's (unles your name is Steven Wright), then you're bound to come off worse. It's not as if you can't become a one-liner comedian due to the quality of others because many have forged great reputations on the circuit for their razor-sharp wit (e.g. Tomi Walamies, Gary Delaney), but Alex seems to have no distinct forte. It is rather 'baffling' as the review says. I suppose this is because there's no original voice, so the audience are suffering from contexts of reception. Who is this man? What is his stance? All we're told is that he likes "short jokes", which triggers a stream of 'hit and miss' gags.

Bill Ryan, June 2009

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