Known more from his vast presenting appearances on the likes of The Xtra Factor and Channel W’s Celebrity Haunted Hotel/Mansion, and panel shows like ITV2’s Celebrity Juice and Viral Tap, Channel 5’s Big Brother’s Bit On The Side and Virgin Radio’s Drivetime Show - which was nominated for an ARIA Award for Funniest Show - after debuting it at The Edinburgh Festival, Matt ‘Rico’ Richardson brings the tour of his ‘Slash’ show to Manchester’s Frog and Bucket Comedy Club. I will explain, as he does, the reason for, or meaning of, the name shortly.
Among his other accolades, he appeared in the finals of So You Think You're Funny and the Chortle Student Comedian of the Year in 2010, his first solo show Hometown Hero won Best New Show at the 2012 Leicester Comedy Festival, as well as others at other comedy festivals, and was taken on a 54-date national tour. As presented throughout his show, he won Heat Magazine’s Weird Crush of the Year in 2014 and came 5th in 2015 and was also a Pointless answer on the BBC One TV quiz show. He also professes pride at potentially being the only comedian on the circuit to mention Enya.
Although he does state that his show is extremely rude and inappropriate for younger people, there is no indication of this in promotional material and, unless you have seen his routine online or know that Slash is “fan fiction” in which celebrities appear in stories that portray them as having a same-sex sexual attraction to one another. As well as an example including an unexpected tv comedy duo, many feature Matt and once One Direction singer Harry Styles. Although this is a somewhat bizarre offering for a comedy show, particularly seeing as Matt claims to be in a happy straight relationship, and with the frequent reference to linking younger people to the adult entertainment industry, it does give insight into the complex and perhaps slightly disturbed mind of such an enthusiastic comedian.
Appearing nervous at the start, shaking his microphone and clinging to its stand, the beginning of the show heard him repeating himself, before asking a total of 5 couples from across the front of the stage what they do for work, how they met and where they are from. This was the same for the first part of the second half. His co-stars, if you like, tonight were Human Biology student Adam and his Teacher-in-training girlfriend; another Adam who is a Soil Engineer on his fourth date with Dentist Fionnuala; NHS trainer Ben and boyfriend Dawid from Poland; John and Christina; and Cancer Hospital Receptionist Sue and her husband Lee, who sells medical equipment, from Sale. There was also a lady from Wigan and Leona and her son Dax from Glossop. This seemed to take up a fair chunk of the beginning of the show, in which Richardson played on that he found his jokes and quick-witted quips funnier than the audience at times and was enjoying himself more than they seemed to be. He also made quite a few comments of clear feedback that we might be waiting for the jokes that would justify the £12 ticket. This didn’t provide confidence, especially with his reference to staying at The Lowry, along with the BGT judges who had been recording elsewhere.
Whilst we did find laughter in some of the stories from his life of recent years, featuring family members like his parents, grandparents and Yorkshire girlfriend, we were also educated in how to remove a Tampon in the absence of instructions on their box and how his best friend has an embarrassing family. This was however entwined between a lot of fluff and didn’t impress various members of the audience.
Whilst funny and quick-witted, it would have been nicer to hear of more experiences focused around the performer himself rather than how the authors of the Slash don’t find him attractive, but hey, everyone’s take on comedy is different and tastes differ also. Although I am glad I had the chance to experience his show, and have learnt more about him since, I probably wouldn’t be inclined to attend another of his shows but do wish him all the best and rest assured that he does and will have a strong following for many years to come.
Reviewer - John Kristof
on - 10/2/19
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