As the house lights dim and the small projector set up on stage starts flashing the words, ‘Turps is here!’, you know you are in for something a little bit different than your run of the mill stand-up. Turps - better known as the exciting young comic Patrick Turpin, is here to perform his show A Brother for Jonathan. Described as “part stand-up, part keynote presentation, part anecdotal love-in”, Turpin’s A Brother for Jonathan is a sweet, funny and engaging show for the most part and announces Turpin as an exciting emerging talent.
Turpin could become much more than a circuit comedian.
Turpin owns the stage from the moment he arrives. Calm and charming, he has the type of style that could elevate mediocre material to something more. Thankfully, that’s not something he has to do here, with most of the hour-long set jam-packed with laughs. Starting with a detailed discussion of his rather large nipples and ending with a long letter sent to an 8-day-old Turps detailing his birth, A Brother for Jonathan is a personal journey through the comedian’s life.
Performed with accompanying slides and family pictures, the show works best when Turpin is allowed to speak in long, anecdotal ways, showcasing his natural comedic ability.
It only falls flat when stepping away from this formula. Attempts at one-liners and different styles of jokes do not quite fit in with the overall theme of the show. While Turpin is a natural comedian these parts don’t derail the show, but there are clear sections of the show that do not seem to work as well.
That being said, there are far more hits than misses throughout A Brother for Jonathan. Turpin commands the stage with his storytelling and natural talent for making people laugh. This is a personal and heartfelt show (with added mammary jokes) and a true success. With better self editing and more focus, Turpin could become much more than a circuit comedian. One to watch out for.
