Theatre Review - Tim Batt 'Vote Batt' - Auckland - 11th May 2016

By Megan Blackwell

Artist / Show: Tim Batt - Vote Batt

Date / Venue: Wednesday May 11th, 2016 - Montecristo Room, Auckland

Batt took to the stage in red shorts and a blue t-shirt but to make sure we knew this was definitely a political campaign he wore a blazer and ties to show he meant business.  His attitude was perfectly self described as “optimistic and confident”.  

Batt’s friendly and light demeanor made for fun banter with the audience.  Hilariously though, each time Batt started a bit of audience interaction he’d find yet another individual from the education sector completely unassociated with the last.  Our audience was comprised of a handful of typical punters, at least four teachers and 50 high school students from Whakatane.  This definitely made his show on politics and psychedelic drugs much more amusing given the majority of the audience were too young to vote or get his pre-2000 references.  Like any politician, Batt took it in his hairy stride and found the common ground.   

The show was comprised of extended metaphors, personal anecdotes and a blow by blow of politicians’ tactical strategies.  Clearly fed up with the hypocrisy of our standing politicians Batt sought to remove our blindfolds and rose tinted glasses so that we might see them for the boobs they are.  Batt boils down and cleverly demonstrates the average politician’s tricky methods with a cheeky grin.  With his transparent policy and his appeal to us everyday folks who wouldn’t vote Batt?   

Vote Batt runs from 10-14 May 2016