Jaz Mattu goes back home to live with his dad in Kent to focus on his comedy career. Though at first seeming like a brilliant idea, reality hits and Mattu realises he has travelled back in time to childhood curfews and strict rules implemented by his father. Utilising music, multimedia and audience participation, Mattu delivers a very creative hour of storytelling.
Mattu delivers a very creative hour of storytelling
Mattu sets up the premise of the show detailing his life as a struggling artist in London. Charming and candid, the audience are immediately invested in his story. As the show continues, Mattu introduces new elements to his performance: a song about loving his hometown in Kent, video projections of his childhood bedroom, an interactive game played with an audience member. His creative choices are undoubtedly clever. The most effective moments come from his use of POV video projection to depict his walk home or attempt to bring a girl back to his dad’s house.
As the narrative unfolds, however, some of these choices get in the way and take precedence over the jokes, stagnating the flow. Moments of audience participation fall just short of success and the tug of war between himself and his father isn’t communicated as effectively as in the first half. Some of this might be to do with the fact that in this particular performance, Mattu came across as slightly nervous or agitated, which could be to do with the number of elements he is having to juggle. Perhaps some simplification of the tech might make him feel more at ease.
Jaz Mattu Returns presents a loveable story in a slightly chaotic manner. What is clear is that Mattu has a great deal of creativity and ingenuity which has the potential to create a more rousing performance.
