Review by Steve Bennett

Australian Richard Brophy offers simple, unchallenging stand-up that entertains, though lacks ambition to do more than press the buttons. At one point during his lightweight routine, he mentions being en route to a CBBC audition – and you can see that that his clean-cut looks, easy confidence and charming affability would allow him to fit the mould of a children’s TV presenter. In fact, he’s one of those acts who – fairly or not – you feel is using stand-up for a route into television, rather than as an end in itself.

There’s not much that’s outstanding in his act, with much made of the fact he comes from somewhere hot and he’s noticed that the British weather’s a bit shit. There’s some comments about the wealth of free newspapers in the capital (possibly getting its last outing given LondonLite closed that very day) leading to some inconsequential nonsense, and a longer routine about going to a health clinic for an intimate test, a scenario that’s a staple of quite a few comics’ sets.

Despite the often bland observations, Brophy can come up with some sharply funny lines – and he’s technically very accomplished. But he doesn’t have much material of distinction, despite being a personable character.

Review date: 15 Nov 2009
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Casino at The Empire