You know it’s not going well when at the top of the set the comedian you’ve come to see suggests gig-etiquette that involves your interest waning.  Observationally true as it is, it’s not good when not only does that happen (and more frequently three quarters of the way through the set as I keep on looking at my watch), but also you find yourself laughing and waiting in anticipation, not at the comic, but for who-ever is seated behind us whose laugh resembles what seems to be an aborted, not fully committed orgasm. Think lots of build up with very little pay-off. Such is the feel of sitting in this Jimeoin in What audience. 

As for Jimeoin himself, sure he’s funny; good at telling stories, carrying the anecdote and joke through several scenarios, and the faces he pulls are great … But when he pulls out a book and starts testing potential gags (though this may be part of his routine), it feels like he’s stalling or tired or bored or all of it.

Even so a stalling, tired, bored Jimeoin is still a very very funny man.

Obviously his years on the international circuit are in play.  You don’t get the ‘let’s throw everything at this because I’m bombing’ panic.  I like the pace.  He takes his time and then shifts it up when it’s needed, as when he starts in on accents. 

His Māori accent gets one of the biggest laughs. Hmmm … Has he only ever seen angry Māori? Towards the end, when I feel like I am back in my student days watching band practice, I know it’s time to go. Though the crowd participation is fun.

I see his appeal.  He’s non-threatening and finds the funny in all those mundane domestic tasks we all universally loathe. At one stage he reminds me of a former flatmate who was also one of the most hilariously obnoxious men I’ve ever met; who, had he not gone the corporate route, could have been a stand-up (it may not be too late, Gas). See that’s my attention waning. Jimeion warned me about that.  Bet he didn’t know it carries on to the next day. 

He appeals to a wide demographic range, as is evident with the numbers who brave a shit Wellington night to see the gig. I’m relieved it’s a 7pm start and by the end of it I’d say he is too. There’s time to do something else. 

There are moments but it just doesn’t quite spark, and whatever interest the audience had in perhaps rollicking in the aisles doesn’t eventuate. But perhaps that’s all part of his charm and popularity.

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When it comes to Jimeoin, what he says matters far less than what he does. The Aussie/Irish comic is a fairly regular face at our comedy festival, and a top draw act – filling Sky City Theatre. Jimeoin has long perfected a dry, laid back style of observational comedy that sifts through the ridiculous in the milieu of day-to-day existence. But his biggest strength is the physical acting-out of his impressions, and an expressive face he can shape like putty.

Jimeoin and his audience are quickly at ease with one another, Jimeoin dancing along to his lead-in music, and quickly asks us if we are “ready for some jokes?” Oh yes we are. Jimeoin has an extremely good sense of his audience, presenting his material with an inclusive wink-and-nod to us, sometimes telling us what he is doing … [More]

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Being more than a touch Irish, I had been really looking forward to an hour with Jimeoin, the Northern Irish comedian from “eastside of the west coast”.  I do love a good laugh and ‘the craic’ is usually a guaranteed source of wild laughter. 

Jimeoin comes billed as “one of live comedy’s masters”, however this show does not live up to my expectations of a good belly laugh. Either I’m missing something or the routine needs substantially more. 

Skycity Theatre is large and our seats are positioned second row from the back: not a good way to experience a stand-up comic whose facial gestures form a large part of his comedy routine. In fact we can’t make out his face from where we are sitting. Doh!

A relatively young audience fills the theatre, and the routine is probably aimed at a twenty to thirty-something demographic who find merit in the relaxed, wry, incredibly laid-back humour that Jimeoin has mastered . His dry wit and observational comedy is unperturbed, relying heavily on mime and the specifics of interpersonal communication (how to wave goodbye is a strong set). 

This kind of comedy is best enjoyed when you can see every gesture, though, so the more visually capable front half of the theatre seems to get into it. I can vouch for his timing, which is impeccable, and his perspective on life, which is particularly truthful and inventive. I just need more. It feels like there are too many ‘fillers’ in the show: diagnosing the audience’s laughter is fine for a bit but not too long.

He’s very clever, and the observational comedy – with its useful burglary tips, coupled with a touch of misogyny and a bit of live music – has the potential for a particular kind of comedy show that works well.

However, sadly, this has not really been my cup of (Irish breakfast) tea. Perhaps the venue is just too big. If you’re going, get seats as close to the front as possible.

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