Dan Willis – Original Review
Note: This review is from 2003
As a new act, Willis is confident, solid and amusing. All he's lacking is a really distinctive voice.
He's not surreal, especially topical, punny or character-based - his only gimmick is that he hasn't got a gimmick. That makes for a harder path, as the only way to stand out is with outstanding material.
At the moment, the gags - the best of which are self-deprecating tales of sexual incompetence - are good, but not brilliant, and he has the reliable air of a journeyman who could make a living from comedy.
That may seem like damning with faint praise, but he's better than most of comparable experience, and it's to be hoped that a clearer point of view will emerge.
His stage manner also belies his newness. He moves around with the deliberate intent of someone who has been told that moving around gives a performance energy, rather than the instinctively fluid movement of a seasoned pro.
Review date: 1 Mar 2003
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett