There comes a certain expectation with an established act like Mark Watson. After a number of years at the Fringe, including his renowned 24 hour shows, and various TV and radio appearances, Watson returns with his more manageable “Do I Know You?” and he certainly doesn’t disappoint.
After a crowd-pleasing laptop-written commentary as the audience filters into the 750 plus venue, Watson embarks on an hour of text-book stand-up comedy. After a bit of a slow start as the crowd and Watson warm up, he soon has the audience rolling about with his characteristically rapid, bumbling tales of human interaction, his obsession with Derren Brown and an advert for a certain pear cider.
The show really ignites around half way through, when a quick check of the time and an audience member going to the toilet leads to a ten minute barrage of digression and improvisation, including chasing the returning man up the aisles, and by the time he goes back to his planned material, the endorphins are running so high around the room that he finishes his set with an easily mustered rip-roaring response from the crowd.
All in all, Watson certainly matches the expectations, but he doesn’t exceed them. His performance is most impressive in the unplanned section, and perhaps the restrictive format of a one-hour show stifles a comedian that clearly thrives off the sort of spontaneity his long shows and other projects allow for. Nonetheless, a great performance, and certainly will be a favourite for this year’s Fringe.
4/5 
Yann Chalmers
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