Austin Harrison
Old Mate is the latest offering from the iconic Josh Thomson. You probably recognise Thomson from The Office Australia, Taskmaster NZ, The Project or, most memorably for me personally, for his extended rants about insignificant subject matter on 7 Days. This is my first time seeing him live, and I am surprised in all the right ways with what I find.
The show starts with immaculate energy. As the house lights dim, someone whoops particularly enthusiastically drawing a quip “shut up Zane” from a friend next to them. Immediately Thomson’s voice from backstage booms out “yeah…shut up Zane and welcome everyone”. Thomson has not yet entered stage and we’re in stitches. This is live entertainment. He’s listening as much as he’s talking and we’re in for a riotous hour of comedy.
When I describe this show as observational Dad comedy, that might turn some of you off. But it shouldn’t. It’s completely authentic. While the fodder is classic fare; taking your kids to dance class, picking a favourite child, things that annoy you about your spouse. The largely middle-aged crowd laps it up, but it’s not the content that gives me a great time. It’s Thomson.
He is completely charming. This guy is so at home in front of a group of people, spinning a yarn and enveloping us with warmth and wit. Thomson is a master of getting himself into trouble without ever crossing a line. There aren’t one-liners here. Its storytelling and situational comedy weaved so effortlessly that we never see the punchline coming. It’s the kind of comic mastery where it feels like he’s simply hanging out onstage, but beneath it there is a whole heap of thoughtful craft leading us into every giggle, guffaw and gut-busting howl of laughter.
Something I absolutely adore about this show is that Thomson is absolutely alive to the room and makes us feel a part of the experience without ever doing classic “crowd work”. I’ve seen a lot of shows in the Comedy Festival so far and if one more comic flubs a mediocre quip after asking me what I do for a living, I might scream. Thomson includes us in the action with regular crowd questions (to everyone, as opposed to interrogating an individual) which never ask too much of us, and always feed into the next story. When audience members make themselves known he always acknowledges and engages, but never in a way that makes it about us or derails the flow of the show.
At one point, he gets too close to an audience member and immediately apologises and tells them they smell great. It’s funny, harmless and positive. Early-career comics, take note. You don’t have to open by quizzing a load of audience members to bring us into the show. In fact, this is a high-risk model which often leaves your audience feeling alienated. Knowing your material well enough, to also have your listening ears on is enough. And if you engage positively and responsively, then your audience will be so on board. Old Mate is an exposé of this in action.
Josh Thomson’s Old Mate is a highlight of the Comedy Festival and a must-see for parents and comedy lovers alike. It’s all wrapped up in Wellington, but Auckland folks can catch it May 21-24 at Q Theatre.
Austin Harrison is one of Aotearoa's most prolific independent producers and performers. His works include Poprox, Ungartered Territory and I’m Proud of You. He holds a Master of Fine Arts (Theatre) and in 2022 won a "Heart of Gold" Wellington Theatre Award. Austin believes in making work with the audience at its heart and the power of live theatre to bring communities together