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: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Pleasance Courtyard

This sketch threesome (Dan Antopolski, Tom Craine, Nat Luurtsema) fit sketches around themselves, and not vice-versa, while their easy charm goes a long, long way to lift individually enjoyable sketches into a satisfying whole.

This ease is underlined by the way the three morph into scenes: often using the space they ended up in the last sketch as their starting point for their next one. Having a screen decorated with an logo that gives them a kind of New Avengers identity, rather than using the wings for changes, also gives them a sophisticated zip.

Without getting fixated on surreal concepts, analogous skits, interpersonal shenanigans or an overarching narrative, the trio are free to fly through a landscape of characters with unexpected behavioural quirks. There's the man who dupes people into getting a semen sample from him, the therapist who slyly uses funk music to help his patients (carried off with a convincing amount of loopyness and not overdone), and a sex addict friend who can't resist making juvenile ginger motions to simulate sex…

What's refreshing is that, for the most part, the characters are all low-status, no newsreaders, no motivational speakers, no policemen or detectives; Jigsaw’s collectively warm and casual style wouldn’t suit pompousness or self-importance.

There’s limited off-the-ball spontaneity, but when it does come –for example in response to three of the front row leaving for the loo – it is all the more impactful for its authenticity.

It’s rare to see performers have so much fun without enforced corpsing, and the simplicity of the ideas must make them fun to perform rather than dreading some very clever-clever set piece that has to be delivered off pat every night.

Perhaps the most complicated set piece is where Craine and Luurtsema have to explain why Antopolski’s pet mouse has died. The chain of events proves great fun and it must make it a joy to deliver each night, without it ever sounding convoluted.

Easy, breezy and sometimes quite cheesy, Jigsaw are a refreshing Fringe stop among shouty sketch and theme-strangled stand up.

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5