one4review | On 12, Aug 2022

Stewart Lee is a much admired and respected stand up. Indeed he has been doing stand up for more than three decades, and judging by the sold out sizeable venue on a sunny Thursday afternoon, people are still interested in what Stewart Lee has to say. He has evolved from the young outspoken liberal and has the ability to laugh at himself. His self deprecating and dead pan delivery often cracks and we learn a few tricks of the stand up trade, and the art of joke telling, along the way.

Stewart Lee is a brilliant performer and experience has afforded him the ability to feel totally at home on that stage. As he ambles on to the stage, which has an acoustic guitar propped up and ready to be played, he tells us not to worry about it, and yes we are relieved!

There are a few topics, or perhaps targets, which we were not expecting; Tony Parsons, Ricky Gervais, American comedians and Netflix are brilliantly taken down. The apparent muddy waters between political correctness and health and safety is hilariously looked at through the eyes of Stewart’s very elderly Grandmother, who of course, remembers the good old days fondly.

The show does close with a song, and for a self confessed failed rock star, he’s a pretty decent musician.

In 2018 The Times, no less, named Stewart Lee as the best current English-language comedian in the world! Now that’s high praise. Every young comedian needs to see Stewart Lee. A masterclass.

*****

Reviewed by Margot

The Stand’s New Town Theatre (Grand Hall)

13.50 (1hr)

Until August 28th (not 15th or 16th)