Reggie Watts: Spatial

Reggie Watts: Spatial is a genre-blending performance film that intertwines comedy, music, and improvisation in a way only consummate entertainer Reggie Watts can pull off. Premiering in 2016, it was directed by Benjamin Dickinson and features other comedic talents like Rory Scovel and Kate Berlant. Deftly tiptoeing the line between stand-up comedy, experimental theater, and musical concert, the performance stimulates viewers to constantly think about the nature of entertainment itself. Watts applies his unique performance style to craft an exceptional combination of comedy, thought-provoking concepts, and rhythm that keeps the audience on their toes throughout the runtime.

The film opens with comedian Rory Scovel performing a stand-up comedy act, immediately setting up an atmosphere of infectious laughter. Scovel’s intelligent humor and impeccable comedic timing allow him to discuss common life issues and absurdities with a touch of satire and wit. His comedic stint serves to warm up the audience, priming them for the main act - Reggie Watts.

Reggie Watts, revered as a mastermind of spontaneous creation, enters the stage and turns it into a laboratory of offbeat humor, avant-garde storytelling, and musical innovation. Notorious for his instinctive flow and improvisational skills, Watts is a principal pillar of 'comedy-without-a-script.' His performance, primarily a one-man show, is a continuously evolving entity that follows his pace and creativity, leaving room for surprises and artistic musings.

Watts utilises his trusty loop machine to layer sounds and create songs on the spot, effortlessly transitioning from comedy to music and back again. He captivates the audience with his vocal prowess and beatboxing skills, generating an array of sound effects that fill the auditorium. Through his eclectic range of sounds and melodies, Watts explores music across different genres, delivering a sonorous experience that resonates beyond the confines of a typical comedy show.

Throughout Reggie Watts: Spatial, the comedian chooses to tread the lesser-known path, always ready to plunge into the vortices of alternate realities, absurd sketches, and surreal narratives. His performances are infused with consciousness-altering improvisations and non-linear storytelling, which lead the audience on a journey, rather questioning reality itself. Watts punctuates the performance with his distinctive thoughts and reflections on daily life, society, culture, and technology.

Sprinkled among these segments, we have sketches that depict peculiar characters in mini-drama scenarios. The performances of these eccentric characters deepen the layers of humor and absurdity where comedian Kate Berlant shines. Watts' engagement with these characters adds more depth to the narrative, making it more than a comedy show.

What makes Reggie Watts: Spatial unique is the ingenious use of space and stage design. The unconventional stage rotation, the sudden emergence and disappearance of Watts, and the use of versatile lighting, all contribute to an immersive and disorienting environment. The brilliant use of virtual and augmented reality in the film also plays a major role in enhancing Watts' act. The digital imagery not only complements his performance but also provides vibrant and surreal backdrops, enabling Watts to traverse through different digital landscapes. The film thus cleverly manipulates the concept of space on stage, earning the fitting title 'Spatial'.

Reggie Watts: Spatial is more than just a comedy special. It's an avant-garde performance piece, a cerebral exploration of humor, and a manifestation of Watts's artistic prowess. Drawing on themes of space, technology, and music, Watts crafts a world of experimental entertainment that is memorable, exciting, and intellectually stimulating. It expertly tests the boundaries of various art forms, showcasing the power of improvised performance and the artist's unrestricted imagination.

Reggie Watts: Spatial is an extraordinary watch for those who appreciate a more cerebral approach to comedy, yearn for something out of the ordinary, and are fans of the unparalleled ingenuity of Watts.