Marcus Ryan – Original Review
Note: This review is from 2007
Review by Steve Bennett
Marcus Ryan’s an amiable chap, able to hold a room’s attention as he chats about this and that. When it comes to jokes, however, there’s very little behind this personable façade.It’s a collection of generic observations and gags that are old, obvious or both. Not that he seems to know or care – building overlong routines around the most mundane ideas, such as the fact that the Anzac biscuits sold in his Australian homeland would seem a rubbish tribute to war veterans.
He does everything a stand-up’s supposed to do – such as acting out imaginary conversations to underline his point and engaging easily with the audience. After just a few years as a comic, this genial chap absolutely looks and acts the part – the only thing missing is inspiration.
Just once or twice, a nice idea crystalises into a good line, such as a subversive in-joke that mocks the conventions of comedy, giving hope there could me more to this comic that an agreeable manner.
But for the most part, his routine seems a little too much like small-talk conversation than a crafted comedy act.
Review date: 3 May 2007
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
