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Daniel Kitson: It's Always Right Now, Until It's Later
Live Review

All the recent fuss over the Foster's Comedy God could have been avoided if only the public had done the glaringly obvious thing and voted for Daniel Kitson. Not only is he the most naturally gifted stand-up to emerge in recent memory, but, as his latest storytelling piece at the Traverse proves, he is also a truly great writer, with a talent for a phrase and a way with a narrative that is simply breathtaking. 

It's Always Right Now, Until It's Later echoes many themes that have cropped up in previous Kitson monologues. He loves old people, parks and kettles and they are all present and correct. But most of all he loves those little mundane yet magical instances in life and that is really what this is about.

Time, as he points out, is just a ‘torrent of moments’. Over 90 minutes Kitson seamlessly paints a vivid picture of the fictional lives of William and Caroline, whose paths only ever cross for a nanosecond by chance. He is quick to dispel that notion that this is going to be a romance at the start, explaining in typically pithy style that it is ‘no more a story about love than the Bible is a story about woodwork’.

On a simple set, surrounded by nothing but starry lights, chairs and a stepladder, Kitson shuffles around and recounts their separate biographies jumping back and forth across timelines from birth to death. William and Caroline are nothing special, yet in the hands of this master every incident is riveting and pregnant with meaning, from Caroline's childhood minor accident falling down a hill and her wish to build a treehouse as a pensioner, to William's desire to make sure his final words are the right words. 

And words, of course, is what this is all about. Kitson has an absolute passion for language and evokes striking image after striking image so that by the end you really feel you know William and Caroline.  ‘Ponderous perusals’ and ‘verbal vetoes’ are just two of many finely-honed phrases that stick out.

Oh, and of course he is exceptionally funny, particularly during a jabby-fingered riff about how the same chat-up lines are constantly used with different women. He is so good he does not even need gags to get everyone giggling. This is a man who can make an entire audience smile as one just by saying the word ‘toboggan’. 

Are there any other problems with this celebration of the glory and tedium of being alive? Not really. Except that Kitson has decided to perform it at 10am, which really tests your devotion. But it is undoubtedly worth the effort. I can't think of a better way to start the day. Godlike indeed. 

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Saw Daniel at the National Theatre just before Xmas, what an amazing show, brilliant, not a normal stand-up routine, a fantastic, beautiful story.

Neill Aitken, January 2012

Saw Gregory Church show last night in Bristol. Daniel was excellent and it is beautifully written. I can see him going down the Alan Bennett route soon. I really hope he carried on doing stand-up a while longer though. The audience interaction before the show illustrates how wonderful he is in that medium. A natural funny man.

James Evans, May 2011

Think kitson is a genius but is going the way of tony slattery - that we (the audience) are not worthy of his material, showed itself in his attack of two punters last night in Durham . Great show, but enjoy him while you can before he withdraws from public shows..

zack, May 2011

There are funny people and there are Geniuses. Daniel Kitson is a genius I promise you.

M Pet, March 2011

Saw Daniel MCing at the Bums on Seats charity event on 14th June. Never seen him before - he was head and shoulders above anyone else, and most of it was adlibbed while talking to members of the audience. One of the naturally funniest comedians I've seen in a long time. I've seen a few, yet somehow managed to avoid seeing this giant of the circuit - I'll be making up for lost time I can assure you.

Ted Cole, June 2010

Saw Daniel Kitson last night in Brighton where he did the 66a Church Road set. Third time I have commented on him but he really is the most amazing wordsmith and funny man you are ever likely to see. The story about being in love with the house he lived in in Crystal Palace is a wonderful tale delicately told by the most eloquent comic you are ever likely to see. His observations of builders are absolutely spot on and one we can all relate to. Also love the fact that he doesn't milk the fans financially. last nights show was £12 which is un heard of for someone that is as talented as this man. Consistently brilliant in whichever format he wants to show be it stand-up or storytelling. Genius

Matt Gander, May 2010

Went to see Daniel's (newish) show last night 66a Church Road. Loved it . Touching, heartfelt, endearing and funny, a true poet and thinker. His use of the English language is unparalleled and to speak on stage for a full 90mins without break was a masterclass . Everyone was engrossed and hooked as his tale of love for his house unfolded. The memories described were wonderfully descritpive and all-enveloping . This is a man at the top of his game. Saw him do stand-up in the same Durham venue last year and he is very very funny and likeable and supremely talented . Imaginative, innovative... there are not enough superlatives to describe this man

zack, May 2010

Saw Mr. Kitson last night and he was simply brilliant! My cheeks are still hurting from laughing so much and there's still a little lump in my throat from such a beautifully told story. I'm only sorry that I had to wait so long since the last time I saw him. Hopefully he will not leave it so long before coming to Nottingham again.

Dale, November 2009

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