Review: Adam Hills: Happyism – Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre, Newcastle

Adam Hills is known for his willingness to play around with an audience.

And, as he bounds onstage fit to burst with tales of his best and worst gig experiences in Newcastle, it’s obvious that tonight’s audience is 100% on-side in turning the Opera-focussed Tyne Theatre into – in Hills’ words – a “fucking barn”.

Most comedians will either have a warm-up act or spend the first few minutes testing the water but Hills knows his audience and doesn’t seem to need it.

Within 5 minutes of being onstage he produces belly laughs with material on English-Australian sport, Northern heckles, and his choice of audience members to pull up and involve in the show.

The show itself consists of exactly the kind of material we’ve come to expect from Hills: a good smattering of American, European, and Australian cultural stereotypes; the differences in slang around the world; some celebrity stories; and a healthy portion of artificial limb jokes for the benefit of his new-found fans from “The Last Leg”.

Hills is one of the most highly skilled comics working today, and whether he performs a tightly structured show like “Inflatable”, the utter chaos of “Mess Around”, or like tonight’s show “Happyism”, the perfect mix of both, you’re guaranteed a great night out.

As always there were some surprises along the way, including a phone call to an absent punter who was at home preparing for an endoscopy, and “that” routine from the Full Monty, including the removal of Hills’ right foot.

Unlike most acts where the audience need a break to get a drink or stretch their legs, at this show you need an interval to catch your breath from constant laughing.

Date of live review: Thursday 14 November 2013