Dan Antopolski
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
Dan Antopolski Videos
Reviews
Jigsaw: Fringe 2012
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…
read more of this review …
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.
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Dan Antopolski Dates
Mon 24 Jun 2013
- The Harrison
- 19:00~21:50
- £5
- Jigsaw, Jim Campbell, Tony Law
Tue 2 Jul 2013
- Queen's Head
- 20:00~22:30
- £3
- Hatty Ashdown, Jigsaw, Alex Love (MC)
Tue 2 Jul 2013
- Green Note
- 19:30~22:30
- £3
- Jigsaw
Tue 9 Jul 2013
Book Now- Bloomsbury Theatre
- 19:30~23:00
- £20
- Glenn Wool, James Acaster, Jigsaw, Lee Mack, Lucy Beaumont, Lucy Porter, Rich Hall, Robin Ince, Roisin Conaty, Stewart Francis, Tiffany Stevenson
Fri 26 Jul 2013
- Hereford Courtyard Theatre
- 20:30
- £11.50 (£10.50 concs)
- Jigsaw, Kieran Boyd, Mark Smith
Mon 29 Jul 2013
Book Now- Brighton Caroline of Brunswick
- 19:30~22:45
- £7
- Dan Antopolski, Jigsaw, Nat Luurtsema, Tom Craine
More Dan Antopolski Dates …
Sat 3 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Sun 4 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Mon 5 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Tue 6 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Wed 7 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Thu 8 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Fri 9 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Sat 10 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Sun 11 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Mon 12 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Tue 13 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Wed 14 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Thu 15 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Fri 16 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Sat 17 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Sun 18 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Mon 19 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Tue 20 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Wed 21 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Thu 22 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Fri 23 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Sat 24 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Sun 25 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
Mon 26 Aug 2013
- Jigsaw: Jiggle It
- Pleasance Courtyard
- 16:45~17:45
- Call for prices
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Past Shows
Paramount Comedy Presents Edinburgh and Beyond
The Dinks 2: Mouthbreathin' Dan Antopolski's Penetrating Gaze Dan Antopolski: Silent But Deadly Dan Antopolski: Turn Of The Century Jigsaw Jigsaw: Gettin' Jiggy Jigsaw: Jiggle It
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Older Comments
Mark Royston Davies - 27/08/2010
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.
Mandy Allan - 11/08/2010
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.
Beverley Richards - 03/07/2010
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.
Ted Fisher - 04/06/2010
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!
James - 10/12/2009
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!
Steve McBride - 31/10/2009
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.
Clare - 16/09/2009
Agree with Jason below, funniest man in Britain!
Jason - 28/08/2009
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!
Duncan - 11/08/2009
Saw him at Late and Live on Sunday. He did a great set and then his rap about McDonalds absolutely blew the roof off. Then he and American comic Des Bishop did a sort of rap-off and Dan did a bit from one of last year's raps (which I had seen) but it was great second time. Top notch comic!
Brendon Burns - 21/06/2009
Has a good rap about sandwiches. Anyone heard it? I reckon it'd kill at The Glee.
Dan Antopolski - 24/05/2009
Thank you Takk for that full account, detailing every nuance of that forgettable but now immortalised gig. You may wish to know that in the Cardiff Glee the following week I repeated the trick - cold and yet irresolute, as if distracted by trying to translate my ideas into your language Knuckle-draglish. However my rap about sandwiches is not bad - instead it is good. You are bad: you smell, you are ugly, have no money, you cannot even type the word Tall, which is a stupid name in any case. Look, anyone can write anything on this comments page: wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee wee. Chortle, you better put in all those wees: this is my work. Thank you.
Takk - 19/05/2009
Saw him at Birmingham Glee Club and, frankly, he was pretty awful. Either he was trying too hard to be too clever or his delivery was totally off (both in my honest opinion). Still, he perservered (with little success it had to be said). His rap about sandwiches was, well, just embarrassing. His anecdotes about his world were just not believable - for example when he recalled a situation where his two kids were asking him to sing the song about the brown man and the yellow man while travelling on the tube, his delivery meant it was hard to believe that he actually had two kids thus rendering the gag useless. Only a throw-in line about raping a tramp raised any sort of reaction from what had proved a pretty jovial audience who either were too polite or too bored to even bother heckling him. That kind of summed him up really.
Kitty Cakebread - 09/04/2009
Delightful slightly off-kilter material. Absurdly good - Don't be daunted when he reads from his 'novel'. I did notice that some members of the audience in Portsmouth were not laughing but they were clearly fools.
Adam - 27/08/2008
Very funny, his rap about sandwiches is amazing.
Wei - 09/08/2008
Saw Dan at the Underbelly and it was absolutely superb definitely not be missed at the festival this year!
Dan Arlington - 13/04/2006
Saw him live today at the recording of the BBC Radio 2 show Out to Lunch. His 5 or so minute slot seemed perfect for him. He got good laughs, and seemed to be the highlight of the show. It appears he may have found something that truly works well for him.
Shane - 07/04/2006
Saw him fall flat on his face at the music hall, Got about two laughs from the whole audience. Felt more like a lecture than comedy. Intelligent man but not a comic
Dave Collins - 31/03/2006
Only seen him live once, as a support act at the Swan Theatre, Worcester - glad I was near the door and could go back to the bar until the real act came on. Every time I see his face on TV I instantly change channel - anything is preferable. A major case of Emperor's clothes
Paddy Free Beer Show - 20/02/2006
I've never seen Dan do badly. Have mostly seen him at more intimate gigs but he was brilliant every time.
Chris Parker - 12/11/2005
I've seen Dan's work on tv a few times and I always found him a bit awkward onstage. I could never decide if I liked him or not. I made up my mind last night though when I saw him in Preston. It was a fantastic show that was well paced and most importantly - hilarious. I'll never forget the Mouse of Commons material. Very impressive
Richard Tyrone Jones - 04/11/2005
The Mouse of Commons routine is one of the funniest things I've seen on stage. The fact that Dan is flying around on a magic carpet in his own head, sometimes confusing and alienating audience members unable to keep up, is a big part of his charm.
Laura - 05/10/2005
He's excellent.
Sohail Butt - 25/06/2005
Saw Dan in Bedford Harpur suite and he reigned supreme. Came on as the first act, and the best by far. Very unique witty and intelligent humour, and best thing Ive seen in a long time.
Danny Daniels - 01/06/2005
Saw Dan at Brixton;what's the hype? He's likeable but hasn't got that hook and the improvisation is weak.The material was repeated from an earler set I saw. Half-hearted wholeheartedly.
Benny - 22/04/2005
An extremely talented performer, totally unique and always a joy to watch.
Danny Dnaiels - 14/03/2005
Same old material as last time and although he delivers it well and is very likeable,it is all very familiar and not surprising
The Rehead - 24/02/2005
I thought he was great at the Fringe last year - I think you have to be on his wavelength to get him .. unfortunately for Dan, you average man on the street is not.
Kate Mawby - 24/01/2005
Saw him in Croydon on Saturday and felt dreadfully sorry for him. He was quite appalling and seemed to have little idea that it was him who was supposed to be funny and not the audience. Never have I seen so many people heckle in a helpful manner but still he couldn't get it together.
Daniel Morris - 19/11/2004
Rubbish.
Paul Thacker - 17/11/2004
Judging by what I have read in the other reviews it seems that Dan has a hobby... 'dying on stage'! He started so well but it seemed his act could only last for so long. In the end death was inevitable. He ran out of things to say and tried to ask audience members to help him look for more material to use. He has got talent but does not seem to be able to use it to its full effect. A case of Desperate Dan tonight.
Jon D - 09/11/2004
It seems yet again he died on his feet. This time in Winchester. Even so, his random mutterings made the rest of his set entertaining.
Sharon Bentley - 08/11/2004
Died at Winchester on 6 November. His delivery was non-existent, his apologies very off-putting, and telling us he'd won awards did not help.
Greendogg - 04/11/2004
Bit of a dodgy performance in Leeds. Occasionally funny but seemed distracted. The heckler wouldn't join in with him and so disturbed his flow. And he died - was literally carried off by the compere - after asking what somebody's parents had died of
Ewen Cook - 12/10/2004
Feet firmly planted left of centre, he dovetails exquisitely (and yes, thus, excruciatingly) between his own lavishly crafted material and his irresistible desire to ad lib ad infinitum with the audience. Dan is not a stand up - one pays to simply see the truly fascinating on-stage idiosyncrasies of a fine, unique, and thoroughly entertaining mind.
Greg Turner - 02/09/2004
I just saw him on Comedy Central and he was great. The way he uses all the big words and rambles to make stupid things funny.
Colin - 19/07/2004
Saw him at the Warehouse Theatre in Croydon. He definitely has something, he seems very quick witted and enjoys audience interaction. But some of it was painful, and as for the 'Mouse of Commons' thing, what the hell was that all about, a terrible way to end a lacklustre show.
Darren - 01/05/2004
Incredibly intelligent and remarkably funny. A great man.