one4review | On 12, Aug 2022

A full house for a comedian offering non-mainstream comedy is evidence of Josh Glanc’s reputation for delivering quality funny; loads of laughs from a receptive and engaged audience demonstrate the quality of this particular show.

Mr Glanc (soft sss sound, not a hard ck; ‘glansss’) doesn’t do your traditional, straightforward stand up. He brings instead a bit of the sketch, a gentle air of clowning, judicious use of audience participation, and a healthy respect for the serious business of presenting chaotically precise comic nonsense.

The show has been directed by John-Luke Roberts, another connoisseur of the sketch and the absurd, and this is evidently a fruitful and effective creative partnership. Each comedic bit has been refined and clarified to its best self, so while there’s a variety of different things in the show, each and every one earns and deserves its place.

The technical feats in the show are also of note. Mr Glanc synchronises seamlessly with pre-recorded elements, and the voiceover elements are used to full and excellent effect. There’s also a seamless fluidity between comedic characters, Josh Glanc (comedian on stage), and Josh Glanc (the person breaking the fourth wall to check on the welfare of not-quite-volunteers), which draws the audience in and sets a warm tone. Mr Glanc’s use of his body and facial expressions (throughout the show but especially during the truck driver song) are well-choreographed and bring that extra little zing. More excellent hilarity from a superb comic mind.

Reviewed by Laura

Monkey Barrel – Hive
16:45 (not 16th)