Charismatic chaos keeps you guessing
Anyone who has seen Paul Williams on screen will likely recognise him as either Guy Williams’ brother, or in the sidekick role on the local Taskmaster — on which Guy Williams was a contestant.
Yet Paul Williams has his own unique comedic brand, a style that doesn’t quite adapt to the panel shows that suit his brother more; one that’s more reliant on music and a generated atmosphere than your usual stand-up hour.
That awkward vibe was established early in his new Comedy Festival show, In The Moonlight, when his director, Sanjay, shows up to open the show as his understudy, kicking the stand for the background screen and leaving it so for the entire show.
When Williams does appear, the vibe continues, with Sanjay regularly appearing to provide notes and to edit the show so it can get a higher star rating from a review generator. His stories centre largely around his relationship in London with a girl named Simone, intercut with
tangents around movie reviews and Google Maps reviews that work thanks to his ungainly charm.
There’s a big slideshow element, a common trope of Basement Comedy Festival shows, but the villainous clicker practically became a third character. It became difficult to tell if the glitches were planned or not, but either way it added extra laughs.
The show promises to be a magical evening of music, and although I had expected more songs, the four Williams did perform showed where his main talent lies. His Tuesday night show marked the third time in a week I’d heard his Bad Boy song but it remains an entertaining earworm that best highlights his ear for melodies and tightly written lyrics.
The titular In the Moonlight song was hilarious and pulled off with a stunning falsetto that could rival the team at Jersey Boys down the street, and he ended the night on a romantic ballad and a top 40-worthy break-up pop song I’m dying to listen to again.
Extra songs could have helped quicken the show’s pace. But as shambolic as In The Moonlight felt at times, Williams maintained a steady tone and rarely wavered from whatever chaos unfolded before him.
The unpolished feel worked in his favour, generating a vibrant energy funnier than some of the scripted jokes and adding to the appeal.
For people wanting a tightly crafted hour of stand-up, this show isn’t for you, but those who are more willing to go on a journey, In The Moonlight is perfect.