So, Tim Batt has been thinking. And thinking. And thinking. For someone so sleep-deprived he sure finds enough energy to turn his addled musings into a fast paced, chatty, well timed hour of uncompromised, eloquent comedy.

The tiny room craftily wedged into the back end of Brooklyn Bar is packed with chatty late-night types tinkling their glasses, exchanging slightly louder than normal banter; the room is certainly humming (I love 10pm shows for that very reason). We are all here to see Tim Batt, a 2005 graduate of the Class Comedians Programme who has continued on in his pursuit of comedy whilst carving out a career in broadcasting.

Bounding on to the stage, he instantly informs us that he has invited a group of Auckland Council employees who were imbibing in the deck lounge to see the show. They sit at the back and at times vie for all the attention via a series of bungled, boozy heckles but are put swiftly in place by Batt, who is so very magnetic on stage that only a moron would think they could top him.

A rangy fella with googly eyes, Tim looks like comedy. And if you hadn’t noticed he points it out. His well-crafted self-deprecation leaves the audience warmed to him. Tim has an obvious simpatico, a wealth of human-ness, which in all honesty is necessary as he proceeds to tear apart the very fabric of society and all its foibles.

Starting at himself, he winds his way in and out of his peer group, his mother country and into the world showcasing his mastery of a good conspiracy theory. From KFC to Father Christmas, PlayStation and those unfeasibly large cans of V drink, Tim shares his theories, which in essence are supposed to add up to his unified theory. Or do they?

Confused? You won’t be, as it’s all rather simple and very funny. I will not give away the game here, you will just have to see the show – and you should! Tech fans note: his accompanying multimedia presentation is executed faultlessly and adds richness to aspects of his gags. One picture in particular has the audience in fits, because we all have ‘that’ friend. I can’t say any more than that, you’ll need to see the show.

Tim is a busy man, apportioning his time between comedy and producing The Matt Heath Drive Show for the recently reborn rock station Radio Hauraki, which is no mean feat. I hope that in the years to come Tim will get to spend more time with his material as in it are the foundations of a sound career in comedy.

Unified Theory is Tim’s first solo show. It will certainly not be his last.

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