With a projector and PowerPoint slide to drill home the data, Tom’s unique set uses polls, graphs and scales to reinforce his take on happiness, sex, emotional intimacy and health. He quantifies his relationships, highlights the cut-off point of police brutality and even redesigns the Australian national flag.
Tom is a confident storyteller, whether it be enforcing library rules, contextualising where his body feels stress or his breakup with his ex-girlfriend. He mixes his personal life with astute observations very effectively. Tom’s confident, pub-chat style makes him instantly likeable, mixing personal stories with astute observations. The pacing of the set was well structured with the exception of the sex segment – which ran a little long, and by the end I found myself eager for the next topic.
Taskmaster fans will particularly enjoy the behind-the-scenes outtakes from the New Zealand series. It involves a very funny sketch which turns unexpectedly erotic. Even if, like me, you haven’t seen it, you’ll still enjoy the material just as much.
Some Kiwi-specific terms seemed to fly over parts of the audience, dulling the impact of the final punchline. Which is unfortunate, as it’s a noticeable weak point after the consistency of the laughs.
Tom Cashman: 2 Truths, 1 Lie and 17 Slight Exaggerations, 20:35, Monkey Barrell, Performance times vary, until Aug 24 (not 11)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tom-cashman-2-truths-1-lie-and-17-slight-exaggerations
