★★★
Like a lot of straight white male middle-class comedians at the fringe, Jamie has to work against the assumption of this type, or at least address it in his material. Of course, he plays with the culture war topic by introducing another. The way he is perceived as a visually-impaired person and how that’s changed over the decades. He’s gone from being ignored to being overly-patronised. He manages to use his experience as a touchstone for disability in general, and it’s a conceit that works. He does turn the comedy onto ableist tropes in a way that doesn’t alienate the audience, and a steady stream of pleased laughter comes from the stalls.
Although I have a sneaking suspicion that MacDonald is simply pretending to be a toxic bastard, the idea that disabled people can be pricks is worth pointing out, but he does seem to be thoroughly lovely, so I was never quite convinced he had that toxicity some other stand-ups have!
Also, I feel that MacDonald plays it safe a lot of the time, ironic, when your conveying the disabled experience to a majority non-disabled audience. There’s nothing wrong in being mainstream. His success on panel shows has given him a wider appeal, and opened the door to many people, who perhaps wouldn’t naturally go to a disabled comedian. Yet, I was left wanting in places, perhaps I’m a fellow disabled creative who can be a toxic bastard too!
It’s a fun hour, and if you want your assumptions gently prodded, it’s a worthwhile visit.
Jamie MacDonald: Toxic Bastard is on at Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House until August 24th
