Shadowed Vagary started much like regular stand-up, before descending into a conceptual narrative that saw him mix film references with events firmly lodged in the land of make-believe. He also tried rewriting history but this audience just weren't really feeling it.
The film references piled up quickly and, understandably, this got quite frustrating for both parties. For a spectator, the punchline went over your head if you hadn't seen the film referenced while, for Highton, it must have felt like hard work. It's not my fault, though, if I haven't seen Point Break starring Keanu Reeves. Why not reference Speed? Surely everyone's seen Speed.
There's an endearing quality to Highton's approach in its ambition to break new ground and he has carefully planned out a show that builds up to a resolution. It does, however, ask a fair bit of a sober early-evening audience to digest such dense ideas.
There is a market for this guy, albeit a niche one and he shouldn't be too disheartened. On this occasion there was a sense of vagary, but also one of vagueness.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here