John Bishop is a regular working-class bloke, but he’s also one of the country’s best comedians – and this was never more clear than on his return to Bloomsbury Theatre on September 12.
Last performing there in 2010, John joked he’s gone somewhat downhill having bagged an O2 show since. I’d beg to differ.
The 57-year-old has something that many less experienced comics lack: the ability to sink the audience into their seats safe in the knowledge they are in expertly funny hands.
At points, I genuinely forgot I was at a comedy gig and could have been in a post-work boozer on a Thursday night, listening to the loudest, funniest person in the room – and happily so.
As did others, apparently, as his calming presence allowed for playful audience interaction: from a man who insisted his gynecologist wife gave him the snip – to which John quipped, ‘I can see why’ – to a couple in the front row who epitomised the target audience: Steve and Linda from Manchester, down for the weekend for a bit of comedy and Abba.
In quite stark contrast to the tomfoolery, Sir Ian McKellen watched on as the Liverpudlian described building himself up to kiss the Lord of the Rings actor on stage for part of his Mother Goose pantomime.
On spotting Gandalf himself in the audience (after re-watching Lord of the Rings to get into the autumn spirit) it’s slap-yourself reminder that John’s effortlessness is not chance; but the reward for climbing up the national ranks one year and gig at a time to huge – and justified – success.
It would be foolish to crave something Fringe-worthily shiny and new from John – we’ve got other people for that. He glows in a subtle way that’s no less enjoyable than something fussy and out-there.
He is best when telling a simple story that tugs on the heart strings and bashes the funny bone all in one, like when he described how male menopause made him cry at Britain’s Got Talent.
It’s clear he’s a soft touch, and this vulnerability allows audiences to get closer to him, making it funnier when he cuts through the sincerity with a dry observation – like when he drove home in his car from failing his motorbike test, or his wicked aside about w**king in a daze, and wondering why everyone on the bus is crying (clearly a joke, FYI).
But the 90 minutes wasn’t perfection. It really could have been, if John severed ties with a few yawn-worthy gags, like the chat about men having to constantly ‘compromise’ in marriages. John’s wife was in the audience, so clearly didn’t mind. In fact, no one minded. That’s exactly the problem: it’s not controversial, it’s boring.
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‘Here we go again,’ anyone under 35 likely thought with a sigh as the introduction rolled, which tediously told audiences, ‘Trigger warning: if you are triggered by this you can f**k off.’
But nothing in his show warrants such a warning. Don’t worry, John: you’re not offending anyone. But comedy shows are always best when they are authentic – which this mostly was – yet I get the sense John knows in his bones these wife jokes aren’t truly his best work.
John’s ability to be – and appeal to – the everyday bloke despite his success is his selling point, and it’s truly a joy to watch. But he can do this without regurgitating jokes that have been around since the dawn of man. The odd groan aside, this was 90 minutes of hearty laughs from a comedy master.
John Bishop: Back At It UK tour continues into 2025; johnbishoponline.com.
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