Nathan Caton is possibly the most amiable comedian you will ever witness on a stage. Tucked away in the Pleasance’s Baby Grand, Caton dismisses his microphone to talk to the audience who he treats like family. The first part of the show is spent asking the crowd about their experiences, giving one of the most comfortable comedic experiences of the festival – one feels they can almost get involved if they fancy.However, Caton’s comedy is nothing brand spanking new. He excuses himself for his focus on racial comedy during the performance, saying he is just talking about what has been a massive part of his life. But focus on it he does, and almost entirely so. Whilst funny, it relies on old gags about people’s views of black people, his bossy grandmother’s antics and the perceptions of others.Where he really shines is when he talks about something a bit out of the ordinary – ‘your mum’ jokes, his lactose-intolerance, or his hatred of Tinie Tempah are all brilliant sections of the show. Whilst not having a particularly powerful narrative drive (presumably because he enjoys including the audience and therefore having to think on his feet, which is a noble goal) he has a great way with recurring jokes, knowing how to slip them back in subtly for another ripple of laughter.If you’re looking for a charming and warm comedian, look no further than Caton – but do not expect a revolutionary twist on the old formula. Whilst funny, he is not going to be changing the world anytime soon. Sometimes that’s OK, and when the performer is this pleasant, the adage of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ definitely feels fitting.
