Andrew Maxwell, comedy genius, does the whole first half of this show on the subject of Brexit.
Yes, that’s right. But this is done without ever being dogmatic or repetitive; malicious or divisive; or anything less than hilarious and politically incisive at one and the same time.
His apparent conversational ease belies the clever construction of the set; and his witty interactions with audience members aren’t overdone, pointless, or intended to humiliate.
This is all enormously refreshing, and tremendously skilful. There’s much that lesser comics could learn from it.
The second half he devotes to looking at other nations and nationalities, not least his own as an Irishman; and the joys or otherwise of parenthood. Particularly of parenting a teenage son.
He’s an international performer, and has lots to say about the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the Poles, the French, the Swiss, the Italians and many more – all with accent-accurate characterisations to match.
None of this rib-tickling stuff, though, is in any way xenophobic; and he has much in similar vein about his own compatriots and some of their behaviours. Altogether an uplifting, thought-provoking, and wildly funny evening spent in the company of a true master.
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Reviewer: John Christopher Wood | Star rating: *****
Andrew Maxwell performed at the Rondo Theatre in Bath on Friday 5th April 2019.