Leicester Square Theatre – touring until April 2026
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Josh Jones takes his cheeky charm offensive on the road once more with an hour of wonderful jokes and family stories. Declaring that this isn’t going to be political and hard-hitting – just jokes – Jones fulfils his brief in style – although he does give a trigger warning AFTER telling one story!
He whether he would give up being northern or being gay – can’t live without gravy so an obvious choice – and tells hilarious stories about his grandparents and growing up between his parents’ homes in different parts of Manchester. Stories about a coat that turned him gay, and his non-demonstrative father’s acceptance and love for Josh’s boyfriend are full of insults that only come with a deep love, and this warm-heartedness underpins the entire show.
Josh’s stories about honing his comedic skills in northern clubs, making the big time on Dancing On Ice – injured in the first week but still getting the whole fee, striking gold with his anaesthetist boyfriend, becoming a cat mother, and bumming are all filled with silly details and some killer punchlines.
There is no crowd work from Josh – because he just doesn’t care about us! This may come as a relief to the front rows as the fabulous Jenny Hart’s support act involved a few hilariously awkward moments as she asked whether anybody else had been in the strange situations she was talking and singing about. A consummate performer, Hart only engaged with the willing and they all loved it. As a trans woman, her edgy and sometimes filthy songs and stories about her tits and her balls are provocative and hilarious. I am not sure how these are received in every venue, but I wish I could have seen Hart deal with a heckler – no doubt in my mind that she would wipe the floor with them with her sharp and quickfire wit.
If you are looking for an easy-going night full of laughter and silliness with a lot of heart, grab a ticket for the tour. Tour dates and tickets available here: https://www.joshjonescomedy.com/