Alan Davies - Life is Pain

If we start to set a precedent of blog posts here about stand up shows I have not seen live but have watched on TV, then we may be going down a densely-populated, slippery (yet also quite hilarious) slope. Yet that is the case here. There is no reason why I have singled out particularly Alan Davies for my first foray into reviewing TV stand up, apart from the fact it was rather great. I could probably go into the ins and outs of why I have suddenly looked at TV stand up, but I shan't as that would be doing you an injustice, this blog an injustice and most importantly said Alan Davies an injustice. So, a few words then on how painfully funny I found Life Is Pain. 

In short, I found the way the regular and well loved QI face dished out comedy to be almost effortless. This was Alan Davies' first round of live comedy for many many years, but you really could not tell.

The seamless and charming fashion in which this charming and humble chap dominated the stage and his audience could do nothing but bring a smile to your face. Before the comedy even came, Alan Davies seemed not only to be wonderfully at home in going back to his comedy roots, but also really and truly likable and approachable. I know a lot of comedians often go to opposite extremes in being different enough (even to the extent of alienating their audiences) in attempts to win them back with their own brand of comedy, but I feel there is an awful lot to be said about a man just standing in front of an audience with no need or want of gimmicks or fads or clever tricks. No - Alan Davies' comic genius lies in his own relaxed, lovable and actually warm-hearted approach, alongside a quiet confidence that exuded out of him so freely, resulting in the audience having confidence in him to make them laugh.

And make them laugh he did. Razor sharp, beautifully played and spectacularly envisioned observational, conversational comedy that rolled off Davies' tongue with ease. Strong from start to finish, he was humble throughout but that did not detract from fantastic interplay between himself, the material and the audience. Comedically, even on TV, it was a joy to watch.

I think thanks to the likes of Johnathan Creek and QI (which he excels in too) Alan Davies' prowess as a comedian has been somewhat overlooked, even forgotten in some ways in the minds of some. Life Is Pain not only reasserted Alan Davies' reputation as a comic maestro, but more than that I would even say it reminded us all that he is probably as close as anyone else to being a modern day stand up comedy legend.