Rob Auton began as a Fringe performer in 2012, playing to small but appreciative audiences on the Free Fringe.
It was clear at those early performances that he had great potential. His growth as a performer was very evident in his performance of CAN (An Hour-Long Story).
Living the Fringe dream
Renowned for bringing his themes to life with a mixture of eccentric interactions with the audience, poetic musings, and inspired social observations, he has steadily built up a cult following. His endearing personality, evident in his early Fringe performances, has remained, unaffected by his subsequent success.
I first encountered Auton in the Banshee Labyrinth’s Banqueting Hall, playing on the Free Fringe. That dark atmospheric space is typical of the type of room used by those beginning their Fringe journey. Auton now plays in large venues, attracting packed out audiences. He “never dreamt” that this would be the case. He is living the Fringe dream of evolving as a performer and steadily adding more devotees of his work every August. This year, he has been packing out the 168-seater Upstairs at Assembly Roxy.
Collective human experience
Typifying Auton’s approach has been building a show around a single theme, yellow, water, talk etc. In 2017 he performed the excellent Hair Show for which he grew his hair particularly long. At that time he wondered if his hair would survive till the following Fringe; that long hair style has survived in the years since.
Auton’s latest show picks up on some of the themes of his superb Crowd Show (2021), which focused on collective human experience and bonds between people. That was very much at the heart of this year’s rather moving show, which began in a lowkey manner before building impressively to the climax.
Motivational speaker.
In it Auton takes on the character of CAN, a motivational speaker. Before he arrives, the stage it’s covered in a series of very positive verbs, as you might see in the work of such a character. CAN recounted the way in which he had risen to prominence as a motivational speaker after going viral online. He eventually ended up being sought out for advice by the international political elite. His description of the international conference where his ideas were discussed was a real highlight; especially his absurd ‘impression’ of Taylor Swift.
CAN’s advice focussed on how small practical steps could become metaphors for an entire approach to life. This is in line with Auton’s general style which involves delving into the meaning and significance of seemingly everyday concepts, often in a whimsical and introspective way.
Moving the toaster
Can’s key insight was that the simple act of moving the toaster can transform your approach to life. In short, when you tidy your kitchen, you often do it in a very easy, superficial way. But once you move the toaster and discover the crumbs etc behind and underneath it, you realize that you have to give the kitchen a proper clean. This was CAN’s metaphor for life. As with Orton’s best work, the idea is both silly but also rather profound, amusing the audience while also getting their brains ticking.
Auton’s tale is full of the unexpected and surreal, which have always characterized his work. Whereas his early shows were endearingly shambolic, his more recent performances have demonstrated polish and increasing confidence. His earlier shows often featured him reading his poems, often from a large folder (that often threatened to fall apart mid show). Now he uses his poetic abilities to add richness to his narrative.
The power of words
Auton’s use (and clear love of) of language is something that sets him apart from many performers at the Fringe. In his shows, Auton explores the power of words and how language shapes our perception and understanding of the world around us. His rather dead pan delivery is very much a world away from some of the fast-paced comics found across the Fringe. Again this makes Auton stand out in the world of stand-up.
Though the energy dipped a little around the typical 40 minute mark, Auton’s finale was impressive. He really built to a crescendo, his eyes starting to water as the emotional intensity increased. His desire for others to value the great “casserole of life” was urgently communicated. Auton really puts himself into the performance and this is felt by the audience. Despite his flat Yorkshire accent, he is capable of really connecting with audiences.
Auton has evolved into a Fringe fixture with a (deservedly) loyal following. CAN is an impressive addition to Auton’s cannon.
Rob Auton: CAN (An Hour-Long Story) is at Upstairs at Assembly Roxy until 24 August.
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/rob-auton-can-an-hour-long-story
