Review: Comedian Tim Batt

Review: Comedian Tim Batt

Tim Batt proclaims "I'm here to make the stupid reality" -- explaining why he, a struggling performing artist, is as qualified as any to take political office.

His show 'Vote Batt' is themed around building a political campaign, poking fun at some of the political rhetoric used to win over the masses.

On stage, Batt's an odd but likeable persona. He's dressed ridiculously, and gently ribs the audience with a huge grin on his face. Even if this guy mercilessly mocks your profession, or your hometown, you'd still give him $2 for the bus home.

I'm just not so sure about $20 for a ticket to his show.

Taking on politics is a big and difficult task; still his concept seemed confused and underworked. Perhaps if the show was more focused, less of a sprawling introduction to politicking, it would have been more effective.

Batt made a good joke about Australia's popularist anti-asylum seeker slogan 'stop the boats', but muddled the words.

To be fair, though, 'stop boat people' is exactly what the Australian Liberal Party actually meant.

He pokes fun at a lot about US politics, especially the irresistible Donald Trump. But it's a shame when there's plenty of ridiculous politics going on back home. Just yesterday a bunch of politicians just did the Running Man Challenge literally in parliament.

It’s like they're begging Batt to have a go, but he didn't.

On the plus side, picking on politicians like Mr Trump makes for an accessible show.

And it seemed to work for a large group of Whakatane students, in Auckland for the Readers and Writers Festival, who decided to delve into the comedy scene for the evening.

"He connected with the audience, which had a cool impact", said Trident High School English student Tammy Bezuidenhoudt.

She's right -- Batt is at his best when interacting with the audience. The crowd enjoyed an elaborate anecdote used to help illustrate drug policy, and were pulled into helping craft his campaign.

Jax Maynard liked Batt’s use of irony -- Whakatane’s English students clearly pay attention in class.

"He's a likeable guy with good intentions," jokes student Raena Araroa, making a clever call-back to Batt’s opening. She was quick to add, "It was cool. It was fun."

I tend to agree with Raena – I liked the guy, and I liked his show. His campaign just wasn't quite convincing.

Newshub.