First, the power of fans in the audience, and second, the strength of a guest act.
Some fans who'd seen LJ Da Funk at last year's show, and who were very merry, made this performance their own. They played up to Zak's jokes, and ruthlessly tore him to bits in the moments which fell flat. Their own riotous laughter, which in itself was infectiously funny, meant Zak couldn't fit his gags in sideways.
The creation of a 'white guy who tries to be black' character from the Southern US offers a great skeleton for a stand-up persona. However, with obscure humour that was based too much on very specific knowledge, his punch lines too often required further research. This might work excellently for a well-known comic whose audience are specifically interested, but it's the best way to alienate a late night, fringe crowd. That said, Zak is darkly clever, and with a more universal element to the routine, it could be a winner.
The show's most redeeming factor came in the guise of the guest act, Sami Stone. She delivered an erudite, dark, fifteen-minute set, which explored the explicit and unseen avenues of comedy and the personal experiences which populate her own routine, Roof.
All in all, if LJ hadn't been held up by the lively audience, this comedy orgy would've been little more than a whimsical damp tissue.
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LJ Da Funk by Zak Splijt is on every weekend until 4 June. Read more about it here.
Personally I always enjoy LJ Da Funk's comedy after the gig, once i get home, open google, do some research, and laugh at his jokes retrospectively.