CV

Robert Newman at the Greenwich Comedy Festival 2009
Live Review
Greenwich Theatre

At one point during Robert Newman's comeback show at the Greenwich Comedy Festival, the lights abruptly dim. Has the tecchie heeded his warnings about the increasing scarcity of power, or is it simply to set the right mood for Newman's gloomy predictions about the fate of mankind.

This is not so much stand-up comedy as stand-up pessimism, in which he paints a chilling picture of world wars over ever-decreasing oil reserves before our civilisation goes the way of the Mayans and the Romans.

He makes a depressingly convincing case, quoting experts and history to back him up. This is one of those comedy shows that comes with a reading list, and at times sounds more like a lecture than a gig, as Newman fills us in on a brief history of Western intervention in the Middle East, from the origins of World War One to the coup d’etat that installed the Shah in Iran to protect Anglo-American oil interests. In fact, he’s very pleased with himself for avoiding cheap gags about CIA lynchpin Kermit Roosevelt’s first name – but still sneaks one in about a ‘puppet regime’.

Puncturing the seriousness without undermining it is where the wit comes, if all too infrequently. Newman’s perhaps become too close to the bleak subject to see much humour in it. He’s now something of an expert in this field that’s often ignored by the mainstream media, and he’s told these tales before.

But it’s often fascinating, even if you already know the background, because Newman's charisma and ability to hold a crowd is undimmed, even when fighting against the mobile-phone interference that sends the Greenwich Theatre speakers into frequent bouts of pulsating crackles. Despite the occasional witty turn of phase, however, the topic can only rarely be laugh-aloud funny.

That pretty much is the style for the night, even when he’s off his beloved doom-mongering. There’s an extended ‘poem’ - in reality a character piece - about pub quizzes gone too far, which again makes a warm, enjoyable and whimsical short story, although the chuckle rate is low.

Elsewhere, he gives some advice about what to do if kidnapped in one of the world’s ever increasing number of hotspots, talks about the unwittingly sinister voice of his landlord - the vocal doppelganger of Alec Guinness, and plays a little jaunty banjo. This all makes for rather a ‘bitty’ show, even one running just 60 minutes, with the main theme of global meltdown decorated with a few ornamental set pieces.

This is a one-off performance, mixing old material and new, following an enforced absence from the stage because of medical problems, so perhaps a fully coherent hour is a tall order. But even if the humour is only shining as brightly as a low-energy lightbulb, Newman himself remains engaging company with an eye for absurd detail, as demonstrated by his best observation of the night. Browsing through the programme for the comedy festival, he was amused to read that it would ‘help put Greenwich on the map’ – which is quite a boast for the home of longitude.

The technically blighted evening ends in a power cut front of house, with Newman playfully yelling: ‘Told you so!’ from the wings as the news is announced. Aptly enough, after our enlightenment, we return to darkness.

We’d better get used to it, I guess, but it would be nice if Newman could provide more cheer in the dark days ahead, rather than just historical and social context for them.

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Rob Newman is the funiest man alive, with a conscience too, my god, how very extraordinary.

Carrie, August 2006

Saw Rob at the Hebden Bridge benefit on Sunday. He was amazing as always and No Planet B was fab. Really unfairly reviewed by all the major papers this show was an excellent demonstration of his consumate story telling skills. The man is the master of the romantic tale and he had the audience in the palm of his hand. A genuine and responsible performer - see him whenever you can.

S, August 2006

The guy is insightful and intelligent . We need a comedian like him in the limelight.

Louise, July 2006

Saw Robert Newman on More4 last night. I learnt more about real history in one hour than all the waste of time at school. Absolutely fabulous . I am a devoted fan from now on.

Colin Cole, July 2006

It was good to see Rob after so many years. Sadly leant too much towards lecturing politics and one occassion putting the crowd on a silent downer. Despite that, he still has a sharp brain and tells a cracking story. Still worth seeing.

[Anon], December 2005

Left half way through. Pretentious show of bullshit. Supposed to be comedy mixed with polemicisng (see Mark Thomas) not a lecture

Paul, November 2005

Newman is the funniest comedian in the world. I saw him live tonight at Durham with Mark Thomas, and the freestyle bit they did at the end had me almost wetting myself. Newman is a god.

Andy, November 2005

We saw Rob at Catford Theatre earlier this month. He had a bit of a cold - which was a shame as it affected his timing... but he was nonetheless superbly fluent, very well informed and, on occasions, just downright silly. Recommended.

Matt, November 2005

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