Alfie Brown, comedy review: A new spin on dad jokes

Brown's new show is inspired by turbulent recent events in his world, and he proves himself eloquent and a skilful mimic, says Bruce Dessau
A stake in the future: Alfie Brown's responsibilities in his personal life have changed his approach to comedy
Bruce Dessau5 November 2015

“I like the show,” said Alfie Brown at the start of his performance last night. It was a defiant attempt to put a sunny spin on the sparse audience. The low turnout was not a reflection on the outspoken young comic, more a reflection on how hard it is for stand-ups to sell tickets if they are not TV regulars.

The show, Ism, is inspired by turbulent recent events in his world. As he eloquently explained, last year he unexpectedly became a father after a one-night stand with fellow comic Jessie Cave. They are now in love and bringing up their son together. “My life is the plot to Knocked Up,” he quipped. It is also similar to current C4 hit sitcom Catastrophe.

This change has forced him to attempt to recalibrate his philosophy. It is all very well being an angry, nihilistic twentysomething, but he now has a stake in the future. Yet, he notes, the planet is a mess, countries are in conflict and the media and politicians either impotent or evil.

It is a bleak outlook but Brown found mordant humour in it. He is a skilful mimic and like Russell Brand has a keen ear for a potent phrase. “He shits mustard and cries like a war widow,” he says of his progeny. He later imagines that the news about the refugee crisis would be more effective if soccer pundits did the studio analysis. It is a simple joke nudged along by his comedic Scouse accent.

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The trouble was that he did not sustain or develop his ideas. Towards the end of what felt like a truncated sub-hour set he asked the audience to declare their political allegiances. Maybe he was hoping for an ideological curveball to ignite proceedings. Instead any momentum began to evaporate.

This was particularly frustrating because Brown is clearly very talented yet seemed unable to harness that talent. He was never dull and there were flashes of brilliance, just not enough of them. There is always a great gig inside Brown, it just never quite comes out. I like the show too, but hopefully soon he will deliver one that everybody will like.

Until Saturday then November 11 to 14, Soho Theatre (020 7478 0100, sohotheatre.com)

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