Can't Tell Nathan Caton Nothing

Footage from his Radio 4 series

More Nathan Caton videos

CV

Nathan Caton: Get Rich Or Die Cryin'
Live Review

Nathan Caton's third Fringe show offers another entertaining hour, but he is still not quite living up to his potential.

Caton is a likable and charismatic character who enjoys bantering with his audience, getting some early laughs whilst dealing with some latecomers and instantly builds up a good rapport with his crowd. He does lean on the audience quite often either to create a segueway into new topics or to create some extra laughs to complement his punchlines. Less polished performers can sometimes make this technique feel like padding but Caton has it nailed, he relishes the unexpected lines and has a comeback for everything.

Unfortunately his unscripted banter often gets some of the biggest laughs of the show, as his material, despite being entertaining and well delivered, has been covered from every different angle over the past decade. Hip hop tracks have silly lyrics, black people like chicken and black women can be scary if you piss them off. There is nothing goundbreaking or new here. Caton claims he thinks that racial stereotyping is ridiculous and although he has a couple of great lines to prove the point, it does seem odd that he has written almost his whole show with gags based on these lazy stereotypes.

He seems to excuse some of his more obvious gags by setting them up as 'ironic' or persuading the audience that he is merely showing how stupid the concept is. Doing a whole set piece of 'your mum' jokes that we've all heard on buses or trains cannot be forgiven unless there is a better punchline than the fact a nine-year-old girl managed to outcuss him.

There are some big laughs in here though; he has a nice way with a metephor and employs callbacks to tie the various narrative strands together neatly. Even some of the more obvious material can have nice personal touches that are engaging and relatable. When he talks about his family there is a real warmth and clear love for his wannabe-gangsta little brother, his fiercely independent and inspiring mum and his super-strict but loving grandma.

Getting this insight into Caton’s background is both interesting and amusing, as his storytelling skills are sharp and keep the audience captivated for the hour.

There is no doubt he is a competent writer and a superb performer he just needs to break away from some of the tired topics he chooses to cover before he will progress to that elusive four-star review.

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Very talented. Got a bright future.

Nasir, March 2007

I recently saw him at the Hampstead comedy club, and after a few 'warm-up' ethnic jokes he began to use some pant-wettingly-funny original material. Definently the best comedian of the night!

Simon Lightman, March 2007

Most people know me to be a very harsh critic but I sincerely believe Nathan is one of the most hilarious stand-ups out there. After seeing him jus twice, his material was consistently funny throughout and took the room by storm! I was definitely impressed and I recommend him to anyone who enjoys laughing till they pass out and wake up in hospital, recall the jokes and pass out again!

Avtar, November 2006

Absolutely fantastic comic, great stage presence, great confidence, great delivery. I know Mr Caton is defintely going to be one of the best. Keep it up broda.

Joe K, September 2006

I think he's quite bland and hackneyed. His delivery is very good, but the material is weak

Andrew, May 2006

Nathan is the one to watch for 2006. I've seen him a couple of times and each time he has delivered with excellence. nathan is the one to watch for 2006, see him a couple of times and each time he has delivered with excellence.

Prince Abdi, January 2006

I had the pleasure of watching nathan recently down Pear Shaped, he stormed the ass off it. if he keeps it up he's gonna be big

Louise, November 2005

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