Review by Julian Hall

The difference between men and women is a subject that makes both critics and comedians flinch. Critics often jump on unsuccessful attempts to breathe new life into it by claiming that it should be left alone while comics defend their right to explore it.

The softly spoken ex-teacher Geoff Norcott must have known he had to put a new spin on it, which he has tried to do that by imparting some little known facts. So, for example did you know that a man has enough sperm to make every woman in Europe pregnant? Or that testosterone is bad for the immune system? No? Good. Not knowing these things will help you enjoy the show more.

It’s sad that while care and attention has clearly been shown in putting this show together it lacks any real oomph. It doesn’t help that the house lights are still up more than they should be (the second Fringe show I have been in where this has occurred) but the real problem is the meek, almost demur way in which Norcott delivers his material.

It’s not that he throws his punch lines away, it’s more that he places them gently down next to you and hopes that you like them.

Given this soft touch it’s hard to believe, perhaps, that Norcott was once a presenter on Nuts TV, the loosely related offshoot of the notorious ladmag. His stint on the channel is a jumping-off point from which Norcott can demonstrate some new man credentials: repenting for a joke he made on air that was perceived as too misogynistic, building observations that merely gently stereotype the sexes and then ultimately letting women come out on top when he reveals who his true role model is.

Let’s not beat about the bush, though. One of the main, if not shocking, differences between men and women is that men have balls, something which this show could do with before it can evolve.

Review date: 7 Aug 2009
Reviewed by: Julian Hall