Review: Paul Tonkinson: Fancy Man – Newcastle Stand

Paul Tonkinson has been a fixture on the comedy circuit for two decades. But debuting his first solo show, Fancy Man, tonight, I couldn’t help wondering, ‘Why now?’

After being given the all-clear that there were no southerners in the Newcastle Stand tonight, Tonkinson begins with ‘safe’ tales of living in London, playful digs at the upper class and his relationship with his condescending father.

Then, after some light audience banter – and exaggerated Roger Federer impressions – Tonkinson eventually finds his comfort zone, using every inch of the stage that holds his infectious energy and physicality.

It’s in the second half where Tonkinson really puts his best foot forward, with astute observations on family life and ‘getting older.’ His eye for detail and ability to re-enact these extended everyday scenarios – like dividing up the chores, married sex and the benefits of a butter dish – are the real highlight of the show.

But this is Tonkinson’s first solo tour and, on occasion, it shows. He missteps with some sloppy segues into different material, dipping back into the crowd a tad too often or doing random dog barking impressions. And yes, it’s as out of place as it sounds.

On the flip side, he overcomes the intimate size of his audience tonight with a friendly dig at his management, who ‘gravely overestimate his popularity on a Tuesday night.’ It’s difficult not to root for Tonkinson as he charmingly begs the crowd to drink loads during the interval to make the show financially viable.

It’s clear Tonkinson is playing to his target demographic here – parents, namely – so some material was never going to hit home for me. Reminiscing over past school days, enjoying bread and dripping (what?), and previous drug use felt a lot like I was listening in on ‘adult time’.

But always on the hunt for a gag, Tonkinson never ponders for too long. He launches right into a real variety of material in the build-up to a strong, albeit unexpected, close.

Give Paul Tonkinson the chance to talk about what he knows and his time on the circuit really shows. It’s surprising it took him this long to take the plunge for his first solo tour but coming away from the Newcastle Stand I realised I shouldn’t have been asking ‘Why now?’ but ‘Why didn’t he do it sooner?’

Date of live review: Tuesday 12 March 2013