Alex Horne – 21/02/09 (unedited)
Posted by jameskettle on February 21, 2009
Where Ken Dodd had the tickling stick, Alex Horne has the PowerPoint presentation. Notorious for reducing any form of argument to a string of bullet points and naff animations, in Horne’s hands PowerPoint becomes a ruthlessly efficient comedy tool. Rather than employing it to simplify complex points the way Bill Gates intended, Horne uses the software to add inappropriate layers of gravitas and over-elaboration to mundane subjects. It’s a ploy that fits well with his slightly stiff, fish-out-of-water stage persona, allowing this one-time Countdown contestant the opportunity to engage in geeky over-analysis of tiny details to huge comic effect. This latest show tracks his progress over the course of a year as he attempts to out-birdwatch his middle-aged father. It’s a low-key take on the recently popular genre of stand-up quests (as with many of these quests, there’s soon to be a tie-in book), and the gentle premise offers a platform for some sharp gags and surprisingly insightful philosophising.
