Dave Presents Comedy in the Dark

This bizarre concept attracted a small but experimental audience: the 11pm start saw one man fall peacefully asleep. Compere Tom Allen issued an emergency code to yell if help was needed, and each comedian arrived in bright light. Ed Gamble quickly demonstrated his three facial expressions before darkness descended: even the glowing exit signs were covered. Zoe Lyons coped merrily with a drunken audience member’s roars by interpreting them as badly slurred French. The darkness encouraged unselfconscious laughter, a willingness to open up, and a sense of intimacy with the performers’ voices. This would make great weekend, rather than weeknight, entertainment.

Duke of York’s Picturehouse, 25 October 2012

Rating: