one4review | On 03, Aug 2014

This is the third of Mr. Coltrane’s shows I’ve seen, and he never fails to deliver. Chris is confident without being arrogant or pushy, and developed a positive rapport with the audience even before the show started by helping sort out seating arrangements – attention to a detail which is often a little hairy in the smaller venues.

This year’s show turns away from the policies side of the political, and focuses on those with power – specifically celebrities and politicians – and their abuses of that power. Along the way he tells stories of his involvement with various protests, which are generally rather ingenious in form. He’s really good at taking complex issues and presenting the salient arguments without belittling the intelligence of the audience. I especially enjoyed his points about feminism.

I can’t emphasise enough how good a performer Chris is – the comedy is about his message (‘get involved’ – nothing more sinister than that), and the comedy never detracts from it, simply enhances it. He really deserves the (over)full show that attended.

Reviewed by Laura

Banshee Labyrinth (Venue 186), 15:30