Broken English

With Nat Luurtsema

More Dan Antopolski videos

Dan Antopolski's surreal won him the BBC New Comedy Award in 1998 as well as Perrier Award nomination in 2001. Dan has performed at the usual comedy clubs as well as international comedy festivals, with appearances at Montreal, Melbourne and New York.

And as an actor, Dan has starred in the BBC Two sci-fi spoof Hyperdrive as technical officer Jeffers and appeared in the Da Vinci Code movie as Jesus

Jigsaw
Live Review

The last time Dan Antopolski was in an Edinburgh sketch show, his co-stars were Lee Mack and Catherine Tate, so he would be forgiven if he thought he’d been left behind in the career stakes. For his second attempt at cracking it, Jigsaw, he’s joined up with up-and-comers Tom Craine and Nat Luurtsema.

And, my, does this Jigsaw have a lot of pieces. The emphasis is very much on the quickfire, with jokes zipping in and out at a breakneck speed. Other than pace, there’s no other unifying ethos of the show – one minute surreal, the next punny, then a sight gag, then maybe a more conventional sketch, but stripped back as much as possible.

Their efficiency is ruthless, though the fact it lacks a distinctive single voice means it’s hard to get a handle on where they are coming from. And the quality is as variable as the tone; some scenes get a quick chuckle, others are almost-painful ‘dad jokes’. The saving grace, of course, that the duds are over quickly.

Antopolski, especially, seems to revel in the cheesier aspects of the show – he seems to have the most childish sense of humour, and inhabits the more bewildered, dafter characters. Craine is the more level-headed everyman, while Luurtsema proves herself a useful sketch actress. But none really stick to any type, the script turns so fast that they barely have time to pop behind the black screen before they have to pop back out again, perhaps with some silly prop, for the next one.

It’s generally gently daft stuff, as family-friendly as a show that features a ghost testicle can be. Stand-out sketches include the hostage negotiator who’s winging it, the penguins who waddle on muttering to themselves at the start, and the obstetrician with a well-developed sense of gaydar. A couple of ideas recur, but generally this is a show that pushes forward rather than milking running gags.

It is – wouldn’t you know it – a bit hit and miss; but there are certainly enough decent moments for it be worth a punt.

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Dan did my ironing once in Vegas, I disagree with this review and think it's underhand to be attacking someone who is clearly far more inventive and insightful than Ricky Gervais, if the BBC gave Dan a show I wouldn't be so pissed off with the licence, all he needs is a wider audience, sorry Chortle but you FAIL.

Mark Royston Davies, August 2010

Dan is clearly Dan's biggest fan, which at the moment hasn't reached Darius-level proportions and is acceptably charismatic. A few of his gags are dusted down from 80s and 90s pioneers and given an airing, but his act, while entertaining, doesn't really cash the cheques his fans' rave reviews write.

Mandy Allan, August 2010

Dan headlined the show in Swansea this week with what can only be described as a masterclass in standup comedy. I have seen him four times and each time I have been breathless with laughter. Along with the mighty Daniel Kitson, my favourite comic on the circuit.

Beverley Richards, July 2010

Went to see Dan trying out new material in Acton the other week and laughed like drains throughout. Has to be one of the smartest comics on the circuit but not in a clever-clever way, just uses his mind to create brilliant silliness. Science's loss is comedy's gain!

Ted Fisher, June 2010

Saw Dan at Pontardawe last night. Felt really sorry for him as alot of his gags people didn't get. He wasn't really given a warmed up crowd by the compere and there was a table of nobheads chatting and laughing that made it difficult to hear every word, which is important with Dan's stuff. I for one was laughing a lot. I actually went to the gig so see Dan in particular and thought the material was excellent. Tough crowd Dan, dont sweat it!

James, December 2009

I think Dan's material is a huge joy to watch. Cerebral, interesting and full of odd twists. It's the sort of comedy you have to watch with concentration, but the rewards for paying attention are always there. Always worth seeing.

Steve McBride, October 2009

Agree with Jason below, funniest man in Britain!

Clare, September 2009

Just saw his Edinburgh show - completely brilliant. So many different ideas, so many brilliant jokes. Dan Antopolski is one of the best comics in Britain. There I've said it!

Jason, August 2009

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