Austin Harrison
Chris Sainton-Clark returns to Aotearoa for another bite at the NZ Fringe cherry. After reviewing his folk tale A Year and a Day last year I was all too eager to see this excellent performer in Pōneke once again- this time with a musical comedy show perfectly placed at the Welsh Dragon Pub.
Indeed as I arrive, they’ve crammed about 50 people into the small back room at The Welsh. It’s wonderful to see the fringe pulling people into nooks and crannies of the city, outside of our traditional theatre venues. It’s equally good to see a sold out crowd here for international work. (The show I attended last year had just 7 of us in the audience and deserved much better attendance).
Tales From a Country Pub is just that, told from Sainton-Clark’s perspective as a bartender across the UK. For the next 80 minutes (including interval) this charming Brit, armed only with a guitar and a mic, will sing to us about the characters he’s met in a decade behind the bar.
While the specifics are based on a UK experience, the themes and archetypes are familiar. Dodgy boozers, lost young men, bad dates and nights of self-discovery all feature across a dozen-or-so comedy songs.
While the framing of this content tends to be tongue-in-cheek, poking fun at the folks in question, the show is in no way condescending or nasty. It feels like an ode to these people rather than a roast. Indeed, holding the show in a pub and keeping a fairly accessible sense of humour leads me to believe that the Daves, Brians and Barrys who feature in the show would love it. It’s a show for them as much as it’s about them.
Sainton-Clark’s lyrics are quick, witty and at their best have the audience in genuine fits of laughter. I think any regular pub-goer who stumbles across it will be instantly entertained and not overly challenged, which is indicative of a comedian pitching their work exactly where they want it.
I must note though, that I am not in that demographic and neither were plenty of the fringe-fan audience who found themselves at the show on this stirling Friday eve. I (and I believe some of the crowd) find some of it a bit “low hanging fruit” with dick jokes and unsaid swear-words making up many of the punchlines throughout.
This would not be a problem, except that the occasional section which breaks the mold shows us another side to Sainton-Clark’s sense of humour. A poetic section particularly from the perspective a middle-aged-man having a possible crisis of sexuality suddenly reminds me of the ingenious storytelling I witnessed from this same performer last year. While I had a good time, I can’t help but feel that there is much more in the tank both in terms of form and originality.
Having said that, the same control and charisma is there and Sainton-Clark is incredibly watchable. He doesn’t speak much to frame up the songs. The focus here really is on the music. I think a little bit more personal connection with the audience, particularly up top would serve the show and enhance the good-natured banter energy which I believe the show is trying to curate.
Tales From a Country Pub wasn’t 100% for me, but I reckon my dad would love it. I think Sainton-Clark is a talented writer and performer who knows exactly who his audience is for this show. That’s a beautiful thing and I think he has certainly succeeded. I’m also excited to see how his work develops in years to come.
Tales From a Country Pub ran February 27 & 28 2025 as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival.