The Forum,London
The Arrested Development star is undoubtedly an adept comic but his political show lacks complexity and suffers from punchlines that strain to shockTrump is bad news, US gun control policy is dysfunctional and religion is glorified superstition. I agree with most of what US standup David Cross says in his international touring show, and Making America mighty Again! So why did I find it so tough to enjoy? possibly because Cross toes an orthodox left-liberal line on those and other issues; he massages rather than challenges his audiences’ assumptions. But mainly because of the mocking,self-satisfied and cynical tone. He’s undoubtedly an adept comic, but too often I found his persona and his material obnoxious.
Others clearly differ: the Arrested Development and W/ Bob and David star has been touring the States and beyond since January, and preceding standup sets have been Grammy-nominated. At points tonight,you can see what the fuss is approximately. He’s authoritative from the off, launching into material on the EU referendum without the slightest timidity. That soon cedes to the least political portion of Cross’s set, or a half-hour of observational standup that might look conventional on paper (why are there suitcase shops in airports?),but is distinguished by Cross’s planned way of working a joke through to its absurd apotheosis. One routine begins as a mickey pick of adverts for brands of petrol, and ends with Cross drolly hypothesising an artisanal gasoline beloved of hipsters. Related: David Cross: 'Key & Peele develop me cry actual tears' Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com