★★★
It can be a hard task reviewing stand-up comedy at the best of times. Yet, in a market which is so overcrowded it’s fit to burst, we need original voices more than ever. Luckily, George Coppen is all that and more. Effortless and self-assured, Coppen packs in the laughs. His main focus is that of other people’s perceptions of him. I guess, when culturally, you’re often the butt of jokes, or singled out for attention, the power lies in creating the humour on your own terms. Coppen does that, but it’s also a means to an end. Perhaps Coppen feels the need to unarm those notions at the outset, so he can go on to tell other stories, the things he really wants to get at?
Coppen also talks about becoming an actor, and working in Panto (checking the audience for any non-brits who will have no idea what a panto is), it’s a fascinating sequence, I was actually hoping for a little more detail about his acting exploits, I think there’s much more to be said potentially.
There’s something very likeable about George, and his material is full of great observations and stories. It can feel a little too on the nose sometimes, and occasionally call-backs fall by the way, but these are minor niggles. It’s promising hour from a comedian who works for his laughs, I hope we get to see him develop in future fringes.
Under the BoardDwarf is on at Lower at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Canons’ Gait until the 24th August
I’ve seen George a couple of times: 1st) his show – a revealing, yet hilarious, glimpse into the life of a “horizontally challenged” individual. & 2nd) on a panel show, where he (along with three other comedians) kept the audience engaged & in stitches…during which, I even won a DVD box set of “A touch of Frost” for audience participation. I expect to see him either on TV or on the big screen, in the not too distant future.