Nik Coppin, whose mother is English and father is from Barbados, started performing comedy in around 2000, and has since gigged in France, Germany, Spain, Austria, New Zealand and Australia.It was there he performed his debut solo show Spiders! at the Melbourne International Comedy festival in 2006 before taking it to Edinburgh later that year.

Nik Coppin: Loquacious – Fringe 2009
Live Review

Full marks to Nik Coppin for self-awareness. The dictionary definition of loquacious: ‘talking or tending to talk much or freely; characterised by excessive talk’.

He's hit the nail on the head in naming his show, at least. But - and it's something of a running problem with this sweet but rather uninspired comedian – ‘characterised by excessive talk’ isn't necessarily a description you'd want on your flyer. Coppin is a firm proponent of the "if you throw enough mud at the wall..." theory of success, which, in stand-up, it makes for exhausted and frustrated audiences.

Just as you wouldn't pay a plumber to merely try his hand at fixing your U-bend, so you expect a comedian to turn up for work trained - at least to a basic level - for the job. But Coppin, ever the wideboy rascal, arrives for the main empty handed but for a puppyish enthusiasm and steady stream of manic patter.

He recently performed in Adelaide and Sydney and still seems to think he's there - every other line is a reference to Australia or Australians and when he stumbles on some in the audience, the show starts to resemble the first night at a backpackers' hostel as notes are compared. Interesting for those involved (maybe) but of little relevance to the rest of us.

Talk of his travels leads into a piece about the origins of a South African football team's name, an uncomfortable segment supposedly stripped of its inherent racism by dint of Coppin's mixed-race heritage. He has made tentative steps into discussing race before but here his gung-ho approach makes it feel a rather dangerous path for him to be treading.

Then there's more chatter, more banter, more grinning. Coppin does eventually make good on the scattergun technique, however, with a solid closing pay-off that with just a teensy bit of polishing would be something more than just excessive talk; a joke, even.

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The laugh-o-meter was ticking over quite happily for this irrepressible comedian.

La Daggers, November 2009

I saw both of Nik's shows in Australia this year. Loquacious was hilarious from start to finish! A very funny man indeed. Can't wait to see what he comes up with for 2010. As for Shaggers, a show that can't be seen just once. Imagine my delight to see Stephen K Amos, Jim Jeffries, Greg Fleet - just to name a few - doing brilliant spots & having an absolute ball in the process! No doubt 2 of the funnest & funniest shows at this year's festival!

Narla, August 2009

A very funny man who is very easy to get on with; looking forward to the next South West gig!

Becki, November 2008

More froth than beer perhaps, but I love his easy-going rapport and reckon he's focusing more each time I see him. Def some great material in there.

Michael Monkhouse, September 2008

Had the whole of Hastings in hysterics at Laugh it Up. Hope he comes back soon

Eunice, March 2008

One very funny and likeable man. Go and see his free show in Edinburgh. Hilarious.

Emma and Ben, August 2007

Fun in human form.

Gráinne Maguire, August 2007

We really enjoyed Nik's show. It was great to experience some intelligent comedy. The guy is talented.

Andrew Flint, Auckland, June 2007

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