Born into a circus family Martin had an early career as a juggler, unicyclist, knife thrower, fire-eater, and magician. As the result of an accident in the big top, in which he sustained a shattered ankle, he was forced to retire from performing his freestanding ladder/tall unicycle/ basketball juggling/pyrotechnic act and became a stand-up comedian.

His picture is featured on Trivial Pursuits. The Genus Edition. He is on one of the arts and entertainments squares, wearing a leotard

Martin Mor: The Call of the Golden Frog
Live Review

Banter doesn’t get much better than this. Martin Mor has an ease with the audience only 25 years of performing can bring, constantly dipping in and out of the room, sparking pockets of energy and spreading it around, staving off any threat of lull.

By the end every man jack of us has been included, and given personality traits he can keep calling back to: The older guy in the second row dubbed a pervert, the moustachioed chap to one side being portrayed as some sort of Gene Hunt-style 70s copper; the fresh-faced young couple in the middle as pious, clean-living Christians….

Although his tall frame and impressive bread ought, by rights, to be intimidating, he has the charm that means he can be pretty brutal with his insults, but still leave his victim smiling. It all goes to make the entire hour seem like a natural conversation among mates.

This control has all been learned in some of the rowdiest rooms in Britain – as well as some of the nicer ones – but there are also bad habit associated with being a long-term club act, too. And, true enough, Mor’s writing away from the banter isn’t particularly strong or exciting.

He takes issue with one critic who said his show lacked structure. ‘That’s the structure right there,’ he says mock-indignantly, pointing to a laminated card with a chapter heading on it. The chapters are The Road to Excess, This Mortal Coil and The Beast With Two Backs – which translate as tales about booze and drugs, ageing and sex. Basically the big topics every stand-up tackles.

Mor doesn’t add much new to any of them, with observations such as suggesting that every man’s fantasy is a threesome – but not two guys, one girl. Mor found himself in that position once, one of the many first-hand anecdotes that comprise the show. It’s all entertaining stuff, and Mor’s such good company you can’t help but enjoy the hour, but whether it’s substantial enough to stay with you longer than it takes to get home is a moot point.

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Seen martin at the Stand Newcastle and he was brilliant an as compere. He made the night

anthony young, January 2012

Just seen Martin @ the Hull Comedy festival,and he was by far the best act of the night

zoe, October 2010

I saw him as Frankie Boyle's warm up. Also at Louth on his own, Very good act, very funny, deliciously filthy and a pleasure to watch

Garry Edwards, October 2010

I saw him as Frankie Boyle's warm up guy - he was funnier than Frankie Boyle!

Kiwi Girl, September 2010

You can tell he's a genuinely lovely bloke. Although if he's actually a miserable sod that would make his act even more impressive. He's a pleasure to watch and his goodwill is infectious. A fantastic MC.

John Hall, September 2010

Absolute genius. Talented. A natural. Cheers big man

zack, August 2010

Cracking comic, seen him a couple of times when he was supporting Frankie Boyle's 2008/9 tour. Lots of interaction with the audience , deliciously filthy and a pleasure to watch.

Ni Tle, May 2010

I watched Martin perform at Comedy for Kids at the Stand in Glasgow. He is now my 8 year old's favourite comedian!

Brownie Boy, November 2009

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