A nice rug, a desk, some pictures, an owl and a skull make an interesting backdrop as we wait for the show to begin. By the time the show finishes, I am very impressed with the ingenuity of a show which weaves in a specific purpose for each of these items.

Jewel Heist begins with a fairly conventional off-stage introduction, and Nic Sampson bounds into the space, full of energy and charm. He spends the first few minutes engaging us in some audience participation to see which area of the theatre will cheer most loudly, then quickly settles into telling us about his recent experiences at another comedy festival.

He is very open and engaging and quickly has the audience laughing at his wry observations. So far so conventional for a stand up show, but then Sampson cleverly and effortlessly changes tack, launching into telling us a story.

The change is subtle yet profound, as we are now drawn into a well-crafted performance that showcases Sampson’s ability to fully commit to the world he creates for us. From sharing his desire to buy a boat, to inhabiting the characters he meets during his attempts to fulfil this aspiration, Sampson uses a powerful mixture of verbal and physical dexterity to vividly realise situations and people. The characters he creates have elements of both individuality and comic expediency, and they all seem absolutely right for the function they fulfil.

The craft that has gone into the show is evident as Sampson builds, revisits and develops different story threads throughout the show. Each time a thread is revisited it becomes more surreal, more vivid and much funnier as a result. Sampson manages to touch on a number of the expected features of the ‘heist’ genre but goes on to update and subvert them for our entertainment.

As a performer, he excels at making small and subtle aspects count. In a lovely sequence where he ponders his life choices and career to date, his use of facial expressions alone has the audience ‘aww-ing’ in sympathy, while laughing uproariously at the same time.

He is also adept at making characters vivid and separate, always committing to the qualities he gives them, while still able to comment ironically on his own perceived performance shortcomings at the same time. This mixture of commitment and humility means we are engaged and persuaded by the story as it unfolds.  

I very much enjoy the expertise that is evident in the construction of the story, as props, characters and seemingly random utterances are skilfully woven into the whole. Technology is very cleverly used to support and enhance the performance, making the experience a polished and satisfying one.

The overall joy of the performance is in the way that Sampson addresses his topics. There are many wonderfully funny moments that I would love to share but which I don’t wish to spoil. I can only suggest you go along to the show and see for yourself.

This is inventive and well-crafted comedy, with plenty of enjoyable twists and turns, which is brought to life by a skilful and very appealing performer.

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer