Im pretty sure that if you decoded the earliest cave paintings they would be about the differences between men and women. Norcotts material could be stale but he finds a lot of mileage in deconstructing both the clichés about men and women and also the old tired jokes that everyone knows. He has an excellent line in wordplay: his home is innuendo, puns and duality of meaning. As the material picks up pace he reveals himself to be an intellectual comedian as much as a punch line slinger.Norcott is more comfortable bantering with the audience than most comedians Ive seen. And theres no doubt that he delivered not only a wonderfully intimate show, but also an intensely personal one. He welcomed us into his world and used that trust to give the set meaning above mere jokes about gender differences. The show isnt perfect. Parts of the set, notably the transitions between set-pieces, can be a little amateurish and I wish he werent quite so apologetic during his set. But, these quibbles aside, Norcott is definitely a man to watch. This is his second Fringe show and I cant wait to see what he comes up with next year.
We all know men and women are different, but how many stereotypes are actually rooted in scientific fact? Depressingly, quite a few. Maybe the real truth about men and women is so shocking we cling on to the simple versions for a good reason...
After deciding not to buy his wife the diamond ring he promised her - instead using the money to fund this years Edinburgh Festival show - outstandingly good stand up Geoff Norcott returns once more for the full month at the newly re-opened Pleasance venue Over The Road 3 with his new show The Shocking Truth About Men & Women.
Geoff has become a bit sexist and isnt happy about it. A former card-carrying feminist, he abandoned his principles during five years of marriage and dubious TV presenting gigs for Nuts. Its time to rediscover the New Man he left behind. He is ready to concede defeat in the battle of the sexes. It turns out that women are just better and, usually, right.
But we do like different things. Men like shoes and women like fighting
something like that. Men are good at reversing, but rubbish at backtracking. Women are good at locating small things while big things elude them
In an age of resurgent stereotypes, do you ever get the feeling that some of this gender stuff doesnt add up?
A former school teacher, everything Geoff does is under-pinned by enthusiasm, optimism and a sharp comic mind. Whether it be on the comedy circuit or on TV or radio, Geoffs abundance of energy combined with a storming mix of observations, impressions and satire has made him a hugely popular act both in the UK and abroad.
Geoff is emerging as a vibrant writer, having written for Parsons & Naylor on BBC Radio Two & for Radio 4, MTV and Nuts TV. His TV work includes BBC1 impressions show Spoof, presenting on the WKD Shed Sports Show, where his quick witted one-liners became a popular feature of the nightly debates), and BBC2's 'My Appalling School Report'. Geoff is also currently involved in an exciting new sketch show project due to hit our screens in late 2009. Radio credits include frequent guest spots on Talksports Hawksby & Jacobs Show and the Richard Bacon Show for Radio 5.
