Performed by Nathan D’Arcy Roberts

There’s a professional and touching admission from Nathan D’Arcy Roberts that he’s so entrenched in the subject matter and alignment of things, that he isn’t entirely clear what the hour set is about. Which, let’s face it, is fundamentally true to life. Despite this, Present/Tense is such a charming hour with some great use of humour and spoken-word storytelling that it all comes together nicely.

Material is firing across the room, D’Arcy Roberts evidently a confident storyteller with a stratospheric rise on the horizon – that is of little question here. He’s entirely natural and very enthusiastic with the room, but not to a level that may drive some to fear falsehood. D’Arcy Roberts is here to be open, frank, and often hilarious in his exploration of a variety of familiar avenues but performed in a more unique manner.

With some crowd-work to get the tone and ‘vibe’ of the show straightened out for the audience, Present/Tense pieces together relatable experiences with a solid theme of identity, often through the topic of racism and Roberts’ mixed-race background. Even more familiar grounds for many comics and storytellers such as the ever-present question of “Where are you actually from” are handled with better skill and momentum than many more established performers.

Most of it hinges on D’Arcy Roberts’ expert storytelling and charisma, with the comedic elements taking a second longer to align with these other skills. From discussions of DNA and family to the more personal anecdotes of his girlfriend, to his experiences with fast-food and city living all spoken with the energy and intrigue of a new generation of stand-up comedic storytelling, rather than the pedestrian we’re accustomed to.

There’s something special here, and it may take a year or two to fully blossom, but Nathan D’Arcy Roberts: Present/Tense is made by and performed by someone with plenty of future ahead of them.