Review: An Evening With John Moloney – Newcastle Stand
John Moloney used to be a teacher, he tells us. And to an extent, he still is – as tonight’s show at the Newcastle Stand was an absolute master class in how comedy should be done.
If you’ve not seen Moloney before, he’s as much of a thinker as he is a joker. Many of his cultural insights are crafted to provoke reflection as much as amusement, like gently lampooning the monarchy, ‘feckless youths’ and middle class privilege with venerable charm and an abundance of wit.
Yet Moloney makes it clear he doesn’t want to be perceived as a political preacher, and makes sure to create a blithe atmosphere, balancing social critiques with discussion of ‘the sex fart quandary.’
This contrast of themes, combined with a composed delivery style and immaculate timing, positions him as a master in the art of swearing, nonchalantly describing his former pupils with the most severe of expletives while simultaneously maintaining an affable persona.
However, while Moloney’s profession clearly influenced him as a performer, he merely uses it as a crutch for more inventive lines of enquiry.
Material on sexual escapades, drug use (an undeniable highlight) and ageing, for example – combined with appropriate audience interaction – make for a refreshing blend of laughs. And Moloney’s patent appreciation of how gags work – and their construction – makes him particularly fun to watch.
Curiously, discussion of animals, particularly pets, is perhaps the comic’s preferred topic; though that’s not to say that pet-lovers will necessarily be most appreciative of the angle he assumes.
His recollection of a trip to the vets with his self-harming cat (Edward Moloney) is certainly a high point in the show, and his assessment of pet/owner relations in Britain highlights Moloney’s splendid ability to expose the ludicrousness of overlooked norms.
Drier than Chardonnay yet sweeter than Sherry, Moloney might not be as slick, or marketable, as some of the big name stand-ups you’ll watch on telly – but on tonight’s showing he could certainly teach them a thing or two.
