He’s a well known television personality, but what’s John Bishop like live? Reviewer ELLIS BARKER headed down to the Regent tonight for the first gig of his three-night stop in Ipswich.
I’ve seen John Bishop a lot on panel shows but had never seen a stand up show of his.
He was very different to other comedians I had seen. At first I thought his delivery was a bit clunky, that he’d gone off on a tangent and had forgotten the original joke - but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I found myself lost in what he was saying and before I knew it laughing at a punchline I hadn’t even realised was coming.
He also laughs at his own jokes, which is hilarious in itself.
The show focuses on two main themes, growing old and your children leaving home, and touches on the likes of the joys of turning 50 and battling the menopause – and if you’re a fan of U2 you’ll have a lot in common.
It was a near-on sell-out show, and John had the audience in hysterics throughout. The great thing was that his stories were relatable, which makes the laughs come easy.
John said, “I don’t tell jokes, I tell stories,” and that was so true.
I asked my show companions for their one (or two, or three) word reviews.
“Brilliant,” said one. “Exceeded expectations,” said another. “A great watch,” said the last. My word? “Superb.”
For those still to watch the show, let’s just say you’ll never watch Kylie’s Can’t Get You Out Of My Head music video in the same way again.
John Bishop’s Winging It tour is at the Ipswich Regent until Thursday, January 25.
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