Review by Steve Bennett

Although he was a stand-up before writing the column - and a one-time Perrier best newcomer nominee no less - it takes a little while to settle into hearing his words of wisdom rather than reading them over your weekend breakfast.

Clover is a distinctive and enthusiastic performer, he’s clearly enjoying himself and putting his all into sashaying about the stage; a perfect dad he may not be (who is?) but you certainly get the impression that he’s a fun one.

The show is a mixture of stories and stand-up about his life as a husband and father. Employing an interesting storytelling device, he divulges beforehand what the final line of each episode will be; the trick doesn’t just let us know when to clap, but also piques the curiosity, pondering how he will get there.

He begins by confessing his reluctance to start a family, feeling the fear and resistance many experience when their partner expresses the desire to breed. He works through the bewilderment and subsequent joy of the first birth to the exhaustion and the happiness brought by being the main carer of his three girls.

The tales appear to occupy familiar territory, the childlike man too self obsessed to be a Dad. But it is mostly more interesting than that. Clover captures beautifully the surreal nature of his (pre-school) children’s minds, particularly evident in his daughter Cassidy and their father and daughter dressing-up games, where both play at being ladies.

Both ends of the child rearing spectrum are covered, the hellishly early mornings and his desire not to turn into his own father, coupled with the surreal roleplay and a memory that brings about a revelation about his dad; all culminating on a truly magical note as Clover discovers what life is truly about.

Almost makes you want one of your own. Well almost…

Reviewed by: Marissa Burgess

Review date: 1 Jan 2008
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett