Scott Redmond: Jokes About Things

• Marissa Burgess
• 8 August 2015

This article is from 2015.

Gleeful playfulness and sharp intellect result in a pleasing late-night show

At 18, Scott Redmond is something of a precocious talent, having already clocked up a couple of years on the circuit, clearly packing a lot into those 24 months. He's run into scrapes and a near kidnapping, as well as experiencing personal losses including a dog, grandfather and girlfriends. Not to mention getting thrown out of the Scottish youth parliament having insulted Alex Salmond (or so he claims).

Redmond combines a teen's sense of fun with a well-tapped vein of intellect infused by a worldly wisdom way beyond his years, and it makes for an intriguing combination. Performing a mixture of pun-filled one-liners and poetry, there's a neat absurdity and touch of anarchy to his material as well as a gleeful playfulness; his love of and skill with the English language is clear to see.

Considerable thought has gone into his presentation, with a guitarist on stage providing musical accompaniment to his poems and the occasional refrain in Flight of the Conchords style. Lines are delivered with a knowing affectation and often self-consciously commented upon. Though it could do with tightening in places, Jokes About Things definitely sets Scott Redmond up as one to watch.

Laughing Horse @ Moriarty's, 228 5558, until 30 Aug, 10.30pm, free.