David O\'Doherty: Small Things

Note: This review is from 2006

Review by Steve Bennett

This droll keyboard-playing comedian - and undefeated Guess Who? champion - has some mildly amusing musings on God's physical bearing. But much of his work is far from divinely inspired - and only the appearance of comedy deity Basil Brush shouting 'Boom, boom' at the appropriate moments could have more clearly exposed his more obvious gags.

David is a romantic soul and sings with dryly-humorous melancholia about his past misadventures with women.

His tunes are as accomplished and pleasant on the ear as twee can be. His laid-back style and quirky songs reminded me of a minor Bill Bailey and like many of his Irish compatriots, the inspiration of Dave Allen could occasionally be felt.

Tales of growing up in Dublin are mixed with wry personal observations and populist shared experiences before a politely appreciative audience.

Small Things suggests that if we are all equal, it is because we are all subject to the same horrible vagaries of fate as woebegone O'Docherty - another idealist-cum-cynic who has turned his jaundiced soul to comedy in the hope of redemption.

But this soul does have some talent - and not just for Guess Who? - even if the show lacks excitement.

Review date: 1 Jan 2006
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett

Live comedy picks

We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.