Tony Law: Maximum Nonsense

Meta-standup delivered while wearing high-waisted pants, braces and booming about the fact you didn't think of an ending to your show means Tony Law should only work with other comedians in the audience. However, there's enough hysteria among the sold-out crowd to prove otherwise, and not hyperbolic hysteria either. We're talking full on gasping-for-breath helplessness and nobody's even drunk. It's 12.30pm. 

Watching his show does feels like being drunk, though, even though he's hit upon a slightly more accessible hour than past shows. Tuning into Law's wavelength still takes time and, while some are immediately on board, many are still trying to find an inroad halfway through. 

Sure, he's still lampooning standup convention. Law takes "bad audience banter" to new levels of absurdity and gives a nod to the structural trope of talking in a low, serious voice to denote "the serious, meaningful section of the show." All this is set beside a bit about his uncle morphing into a dragon that really throws a curveball into the works. Why? Why not. But what does it mean?

Erm... 

He does guide the audience through his hour, though, telling us exactly why it's funny, before throwing himself around yelling about sport for no reason at all. And it's bloody hilarious.

To be honest, it's pointless analysing Tony Law too much. Suffice to say, whatever he's trying to do, he's doing it right. If you don't get it, there are laughs to be had but you may leave feeling pretty confused. If you do get it, you'll leave with your face aching. And that's not hyperbole either.