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Stephen K Amos

Note: This review is from 2001

Review by Steve Bennett

An established stand-up, Amos here attempts to expand his repertoire with some character comedy.

However, it takes more than a wig and an accent to create a character, and these creations have the depth of a petri dish.

The problem is that he cannot break out of the stand-up mindset, playing everything for a quick laugh.

For example, I'm still not sure if his female character was supposed to be a woman, or a transvestite - for although he spoke as if he was a 'she', he couldn't help ladling on the drag gags.

He also appears as an evangelical African polygamist bus conductor, a Rastafarian lawyer, a failed entertainer, and, in true Mike Yarwood style, as himself.

The theme was supposed to be about image, and a sense of self, but we only knew that because he kept telling us, not because there was any real exploration of ideas.

However, the show was more enjoyable than it might be, thanks to Amos's easy-going ability to gee up an audience.

It's a skill that has kept him in demand as a compere, but when used to introduce himself in thinly-disguised roles, it makes for something of a flat show.

Review date: 1 Jan 2001
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett

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