Romantic Comedy is a two man show written and performed by Mark Scott and Jesse Mulligan. It follows their romantic pasts in the tried and true format of stand-up, with the odd succinct haiku or plaintive serenade added for good measure. 

After a short wait for the previous act to finish, we are ushered into the Classic’s upper sanctum. Mark Scott jumps on stage and warms up the audience with all the finesse of an experienced stageman, which he is. Scott introduces his cohort, Jesse Mulligan.

Mulligan comically explains his history, including his conventionally romantic and (in hindsight) somewhat ill-judged move to London to follow a girl. His style is conversational and interactive and he has an endearing stage presence.

The pace becomes slightly stilted in the middle, due in part to the relish he takes in awkward silences that are probably a little too frequent to allow for a more free flowing feel. But all is for the best in the end as he comes into his own in the last minutes and the pace evens out convincingly.

Mulligan’s appeal lies in his accessibility, achieved through self-deprecation, which encourages the audience to positively identify with his experiences.

Scott is a consummate performer with a charmingly gawky style of speech and deportment. He interlaces his act with guitar songs, including one exploring the perils of internet dating. He covers topics that elicit small squirms from the audience, but due to his cheeky manner he carries it off, getting away with what many would not have.

There are moments of genius in Scott’s performance, including explosions of metaphor that simultaneously boggle and amuse with their irreverence.

Overall the performance is quite different from what the advertising might lead one to expect. Although many elements of the show are funny, the romantic aspect of the content is not entirely convincing. It feels as though more is needed to render the act entirely compelling.

The structure is that of two separate shows, vaguely linked thematically, but not the cohesive duo format that the advertising suggests. Each of the performers has their own special style, but I would like to see them join forces on stage at some point so that the audience can feed off their rapport and to lend coherency to the whole.
_______________________________
For more production details, click on the title above. Go to Home page to see other Reviews, recent Comments and Forum postings (under Chat Back), and News. 

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer