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Rob Deering: The One
Live Review
Leicester Just The Tonic

Rob Deering has got a lot of kit on stage: keyboard, drum kit (of sorts), congas, effects and looping pedals, mixing desk, guitar, cowbells... yet pretty much all of it gets in the way of the comedy, rather than enhancing it.

Every musical number – even a quickie – involves him using the sampling technology to lay down several tracks as bedding... and after the first couple it becomes a tiresome bit of business to get through, rather than a fun part of the show. The hour becomes too much about a muso noodling about with his toys rather than a comic maximising the laughs.

Deering has always sat between the two camps, and here, more than ever, he uses his million-watt charm to keep the audience entertained rather than a searing wit to keep them laughing. Few are better at making the crowd go ‘wa-hay!’ on cue than him, for example.

Even so, many in the room tonight seem immune to his jolly, non-threatening banter, and the atmosphere never really catches light, leaving the lack of substance exposed. An unnecessary interval 20 minutes in dissipates what little mood he had built up too – although that may very well not have been his decision.

As a musical comic, Deering vowed never to go for cliched lyric-swaps or easy pastiche, though he finds the lure just a little too irresistible - with the likes of I’m A Survivor going through his rewrite mill – although thankfully he doesn’t depend on such cheap tricks too much. The highlight of the hour is him exposing how early Nineties ‘Manchester beat’ songs all had exactly the same riffs – and the same women singing over them.

Of his own compositions, the tone tends to be mildly good-humoured, comparing the process of performing a show to performing in bed, or littering the words to another sng with some vaguely suggestive double entendres. He’s got two or three genuinely funny jokes, which admittedly he milks in his self-consciously cheesy manner, but that only goes to show how much the rest of the show is lightweight badinage.

Those looking for themes and meanings probably chose the wrong show... there’s a bit about him turning 40 and being in no fit state to run the marathon he signed up for, and something about crowdsourcing that served only as a springboard for him to assemble an ad-hoc band from the audience. In short doses all these light-hearted components are fine, but don’t add up to much. Still at least those who confuse The One with The One Show won’t be out of their depth...

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Saw Rob at Hemel Hempstead and he saved the show after the main act failed to appear.I took 32 friends with me. God Bless you Rob Deering

[Anon], December 2005

At first Rob Deering was pretty funny, but no better than the average guitar-wielding comic. But then some folks started heckling (well, shouting stuff anyway - they weren't funny enough to call it heckling) and then the man came alive. Lightning-speed, belly-achingly funny responses seemed to inject fire into the rest of his act. He's also a very talented guitarist and mimic. Big respect to the man who thinks on his feet while also mocking the moonwalk.

Jason Holdcroft, October 2005

Not great. After hearing so much about Deering, I was disappointed when I finally saw him, particuarly his lack of jokes. Having a nice smile and being able to play any Beatles riff is a cute party piece, but it ain't comedy. When I left, I couldn't recall one quotable joke of his. His pointless unfunny presence as a talking head on countless I-Love-The-100 Worst-type tv shows also suggests he's better off appearing in annoying adverts rather than still passing himself off as a comedian.

Derek, October 2005

Fantastic.

Katrina, September 2005

Rob has never been anything short of fabulous for me. The crowd love him every time and there is far more to him than riffs and Bond themes. Genuinely makes me laugh; no mean feat for a 'seen it all before' promoter like me. Terrific, go and see for yourself.

Alaric Dynevor, Guffaw Comedy Club, June 2005

Fantastic. Saw him compare at the Amused Moose on Saturday. He really held the show together despite the rather poor company he was in on the night. He was topical and focused. The use of his guitar verges on gimmicky but is hugely funny never the less. He was the warm up for the recording of TV shitcom Shane. Shame he was not a part of the cast. I would pay to watch him again without a doubt,

Warren, May 2005

Went to a TV recording session last night where Rob D was the warm-up man. He (and his guitar) were great - it seemed a shame when he had to go off so the real show could go on. Catch him if you can - particularly if you like guitar riffs.

S, October 2004

Rob is one of the few comedians who we can absolutely guarantee will make us fall about with laughter

Pippa and Amy, October 2004

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