The Pun

Seven True Stories and One Massive Lie

By Brianna Summers ⋅ May 5, 2006 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

The comic material for Evan Jones’ show writes itself, as the man’s life is so full of bizarre shit that he need only relay it to an audience to achieve stand-up success. Jones’ real-life experiences, festooned with oddities and hilarity as they are, no doubt fuelled the creative presentation of his show.

His performance is an interactive game, where he tells eight tall tales and the audience is encouraged to guess which is a massive lie. As the show progresses, he records the crowd’s speculation on a faux blackboard with liquid chalk (a nice touch).

Jones is a pleasure to watch’he is refreshingly confident for a small-time comedian and is a likeable character with natural storytelling ability. There’s something a little bit Tony Martin-esque about his delivery, and the show’s vibe is similar to that of a slightly boozed share house chat involving a talented thespian and his housemates.

Most of the show is planned, yet Jones demonstrates his ability to improvise as he deals with both solicited and uninvited audience participation. Although his show was criminally unattended the night The Pun attended, all 12 of us were splitting our sides laughing. Even the drunken lout who was providing nonsensical (yet luckily non-threatening) commentary had a great time.

It is definitely worth braving the cold and the divey Exford Hotel for Seven True Stories and One Massive Lie. Jones is a genuinely funny comic’not at all cheesy, hammy or similar to any other kind of deli produce whatsoever.