Hilarious Blend of Nostalgic Technological Gags and Stand Up
Jack Ansett debuts his stand up at the Edinburgh Fringe. The New Zealand comic shares stories from his life, traversing a more nostalgic internet existence and providing plenty of laughs.
The set mainly revolves around Ansett’s life and particularly the variety of pranks he has played on an unassuming online public. It is interspersed with a PowerPoint offering various visual gags that provide the punchline to his playful interactions. He takes us through his use of Facebook, The Sims and AirBnB to name a few. Each time, he finds humour in the conversations and often winds up providing witty commentary on how we present certain things online. The show is fun, and speaks to Ansett’s way of life. He finds fun in poking holes or pranking other people, which translates well to the audience. A man called Ben gets it the worst, deservedly so, and becomes the throughline of the set, reaching a notable conclusion. It isn’t a fully connected hour of comedy, and it doesn’t need to be, it is simply a lot of fun.
Upon buying the ticket, the audience are asked if they consent to sharing their names with Ansett. I would recommend allowing this, as it forms the base for a number of gags in the show. Ansett realises this hasn’t entirely gone his way through the Fringe, but sticks with it in full conviction. He has a direct and awkward performance style, which works wonderfully to build the laughs. New Zealand comics can often be parallelled with the British, thriving on a dry wit. Ansett showcases this in his set, offering quick punchlines and a wonderfully dry sense of humour that can sometimes get him in trouble. Although, the more trouble it causes, the funnier it appears to get.
His use of a more nostalgic Internet is well provided, talking up Facebook or The Sims before tackling anything more modern. It works well for him, with his work on The Sims a particular highlight to behold. The set can be all over the place at times, which is down to Ansett’s own slight chaoticness, but with a little more development this could be a very special hour of stand up.
New Zealand comics have been breaking into the UK scene for a while, and Ansett could be one to watch. Some of the more Kiwi centric jokes may be missed, but the comedy holds strong throughout. You don’t need to have been to Bunnings Warehouse to find the humour in this brilliant comedian.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jack-ansett-looks-like-a-bit-of-me
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Studio 4 at Assembly George Square Studios
Dates: 5th – 30th (Not 18th, 19th)
Time: 16.00
Ticket prices: £15.00/ concessions £14.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 16+ (Guideline)