"Warning: This is not a comedy gig. Attendance is not compulsory."
I was excited when Tim extended his impromptu London dates into a tour and even happier when my boss got me tickets for the Glasgow show at the Theatre Royal (thank you, Kim). I've been such a fan of his work since seeing him at the Edinburgh Fringe all those years ago and still remain a little starstruck in his company (so this is far from an impartial review).
As the poster said, it was just him and his piano (plus acoustic guitar for The Aeroplane) with no scripted comedic links between the songs. Not that he was unfunny. He was constantly amusing in a stream-of-consciousness way as he remarked about the background to the songs, or about his family, or about how his career rocketed after Karen Koren brought him over from Australia to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe eighteen years ago.
He'd asked us beforehand not to film or record the performance so everyone including him could be present in the moment and he could relax to play around on his piano without fear of repercussions. He fluffed the occasional note but no one minded. This was an audience of fervent fans. The applause he received walking on stage was so loud it felt like the theatre was shaking.
When it came to the audience choice numbers, he asked us to shout out Huzzah for the one we wanted. That didn't really work (too English) so instead he changed it to something more appropriate for Glasgow. So the requests for 'You Grew on Me' and 'Airport Piano' (over 'Drowned' and 'Leaving LA') were won by instead shouting Fuck You the loudest.
Despite the size of the theatre (1500 seats), it felt like an intimate gig. He was chatty and amusing and played beautifully, tinkering with the songs as the mood took him. He made light of the bits he fluffed, reminding us it was a one-of-a-kind night. He was good company and I left the theatre feeling content. He'd been just as amazing as I'd expected.
Reflecting on the gig the day after, I reckon this was his way of marking out his transition from Comedian to Performer. If he tours again (and he doesn't need to thanks to his Matilda money), I don't think it will be a comedy tour. It will be all about the music. And I'll be there, still starstruck and loving every minute.
Setlist
Beauty
Understand It
You Grew on Me (Audience choice over 'Drowned')
Airport Piano (Audience choice over 'Leaving LA')
Apart Together
Lucy
So Much Love
Quiet
The Fence
I Can't Save You
The Song of the Masochist (Timmy the Dog song)
I'll Take Lonely Tonight
The Aeroplane
Encore:
Darkside
White Wine in the Sun
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| The stage is set |
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