Adelaide Fringe review 2017: Merrick Watts — Man Of The Hour
NEWLY-svelte funnyman Merrick Watts took to the stage for his first solo show and absolutely nailed the gig.
Merrick Watts — Man Of The Hour
Comedy *****
GOLD — Studio 7, until February 25
Newly-svelte funnyman Merrick Watts took to the stage for his first solo show and absolutely nailed the gig. The radio host, TV presenter and comedian opened his stand-up act with Adelaide-inspired jokes about our inability to merge in traffic and the joys of Colonnades getting instant laughs.
The audience warmed quickly to Merrick, 43, who is married with two kids and says he loves the age he’s at. The show centres on what he’s learnt about life, love and even loss with his family cropping up frequently including a memorable tale about gastro and true love.
Anyone who grew up in the Seventies and Eighties (or even before that) will be in stitches hearing his memories of dangerous old-school playgrounds, backyard incinerators, the shame of homemade clothes and life before mobile phones.
Merrick is a natural story teller with bang-on delivery and a larrikin style which resonated bigtime with this audience.
Kylie Fleming