one4review | On 09, Aug 2025

Limerick lad, John O’Keefe lands at this years Fringe with his show, Surviving Myself.  And in a packed out room, he keeps us laughing from start to finish while seeking to find solace in self-improvement and self-help.  His delivery is sharp as a tack and the jokes just keep on coming.  He managed to deal with a particularly disruptive crowd on the night I saw him and kept the show on track with the use of some beautiful one-liners whilst keeping the rest of us on-side.

It does at times feel like we are in a group therapy session as we all unpick our own life choices along with him.  Conversational yet observational he has a refreshing style about his humour that still keeps him grounded, never forgetting his Irish roots. Don’t be fooled though, this isn’t just another sad-man comedy hour, it’s a stand-up of self- diagnosis that really works leaving you feeling like you’ve had a proper therapy session.

A cracker of a show that I’d prescribe to anyone, leaving you feeling a lot better about yourself, one of this years hidden gems, well worth seeing and no NHS waiting list.

****

Reviewed by Gavin

Hoots @ The Apex

20.20 (1hr)

Until 24 Aug