Tall, ginger, and surprisingly English comedian Alasdair Beckett-King has made a name for himself thanks to some perfectly formed short pieces of comedy on social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. His material is the sort that will delight STARBURST readers: a mix of pop-culture observation, quick wit, and an awkward and geeky persona that is incredibly charming.
His current stand-up act, Nevermore, is a tight sixty minutes of extremely well-timed and energetic humour. These are short bursts of intensely silly and extremely accessible comedy that bring a gentle smile to the face. Beckett-King then uses short video clips to alter the pace of the show and turn that smile into a deep belly laugh. The videos are often integral to the routine, allowing the comedians to talk to themselves without seeming too indulgent.
The routine is semi-autobiographical, like a lot of comedy, without being too personal. We learn that Alasdair is a Geordie (he grew up near Newcastle) with both Scottish and English parents, and he’s able to tap this regional distinctiveness into something unique and funny.
The show feels incredibly short (despite being a solid hour) and this is because it’s so well-packed. No prop is wasted, no aside or simple observation isn’t wrapped up. The content is pure fun; there are no politics here, nor does Beckett-King ever feel the need to punch down to get a laugh; this is wholesome and entertaining stuff.
If you are familiar with the artist’s social media, you may recognise a joke or two, but given that the show is full of original and clever material, you’ll barely notice between guffaws. It is incredibly daft in the most brilliant way.
Alasdair Beckett-King is an amazing chortle-merchant; see this exciting young talent while they are still doing smaller, intimate venues if you can.
You can find out more about Alasdair Beckett King and his current tour, here. And book here.
