At The Moment is Ali’s latest hour that reflects on the self: being truthful, putting a stop to performativity and living in the moment. Directed by Heidi Regan, after finding viral fame, Woods delivers a highly confident performance that has many strong moments.
His greatest strength lies in his impersonations
Woods opens with stories of his delayed puberty and desire for attention as a child, which act as a great warm-up, balancing the relatable with the absurd. His greatest strength lies in his impersonations - particularly of his mother - and it would be lovely to see more of this included in the show. The same can be said of his riotous family anecdotes.
Woods loosens up as the show continues, creating a wonderful chemistry between himself and the audience. However, the narrative and pace begin to lag in places, which clash with moments where it feels a bit rushed. This is something that could be an easy fix with some cuts to the text that would allow Woods to indulge more in his observational gags. Some of his irony also reads as a little boastful, which doesn’t fit with the earnest sentiment of the show.
In his material on the corporate world, Woods is an expert in relatability, directly connecting with the audience as he explores the tension between living in the moment and the unnecessary stress of day-to-day life. Though it isn’t revolutionary, his passion and vigour make for entertaining commentary. In contrast, his reflections on his relationship, though interesting, become a little too extended and self-focused, breaking up the flow he creates so well. Because it is key to the narrative, perhaps these sections could be broken up and interspersed a little more with his other material to maintain the audience’s attention. The sentimental ending befalls the same fate and could be shortened to create a punchier conclusion.
Overall, At The Moment delivers an amusing and heartfelt hour that is sure to encourage audiences to seize the day.
