Being the Culture Vulture that I am, constantly seeking to improve and enlighten myself through exposing myself (calm down) to new experiences, THIS WEEK I thought I would partake in an evening of comedy. Sure.
So I donned a pashmina and vogue cigarette (I didn’t) and headed down to the Torriano in Kentish Town to catch Jeff Leach showcasing snippets from his upcoming Edinburgh fringe show, ‘ A Leach on Society’.
So into a pub, down a winding staircase through a red curtain (ooooh errrrrr) and I was instantly transported back to my Student days of being all ‘bohemian’ and ‘arty’ and ‘alternative’ and that.
There was positive smorgasbord of comedians: some surprising; some funny (some not); some scary and some downright hilarious (the hilarity seemed to increase alongside the amount of rum consumed. Weird).
It was bloody good fun – so much fun that I developed a ‘new’ laugh, which is odd as I’ve had pretty much the same laugh for the past 29 years (forgiving the odd snort/grunt/unexpected blurt) prompting a man behind me tapping me on shoulder to ask if I was having an epileptic fit – this was a personal highlight.
Sooooooo on to the headline act Mr Leach himself. My decision to attend this random weekday comedy showcase was, as explained above all about me trying new things, saying yes, and being spontaneous. And had absolutely had nothing at all to do with the fact that Mr Leach is 6′ 4”, tattooed and with a quiff that Johnny Bravo would envy. Nup, definitely not. Culture, I tell you. CULTURE.
Now after and hour and a half of hit-and-miss comedy randomness and several rum and gin cocktails (YES, when you mix spirits through the course of the evening it totally counts as a cocktail. CULTURE, see?), Mr Leach was refreshingly relaxing to watch (I’m always scared in these situations that something is going to come AT me in the manor of a haunted house at Disneyland. Nothing should ever come AT me. NEVER. ) and very personable to the audience (read: manages to interact and involve them without calling them fat bald wankers. Which I always think is a plus); his style of comedy was observant, reassuring and genuinely very very funny.
His self depreciating, haphazard style means that try as I might to avoid it I CANT HELP but draw similarities to Russel Brand, and there are familiar references to sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll (early sexual experiences and antics always lead to good comedy value but Jeff managed to absolutely nail this with a sense of innocent embarrassment).
Jeff successfully plays on his strengths, looks and unimposing demeanor; his vanity and appearance; flashing his tatts and speaking of the burdens of having a large penis. Sure. That must be terrrrrrrrrrrrrible, sir. BUT instead of coming across as arrogant knob, his warmth and downright funniness means he is very much is a tart with a heart. A lovable rogue who warms our cockles and tickles our, erm, funny bone.
Highlight skits for me included a story of discovering the ever-elusive female ejaculation with an ex girlfriend, and the pride/horror that this evoked; and recollections of being an awkward middle class white Skater Boi, (I hate myself a little bit for writing ‘boi’, damn you Avril Lavigne) resulting in shitting himself in parachute pants all had me falling off my (black velvet upholstered, oooooh CULTURE) stool (WHEN IS POO NOT FUNNY, EH?? WHEN!).
Safe to say it was not the most sophisticated act I have ever seen (this coming from the girl who lives by the cheese joke trilogy and entered the last work pub quiz with the name “quiz on my face”), granted BUT it was bloody funny. And hey, isn’t THAT what comedy is about? Hmm?
It was an entirely enjoyable experience – not only did I develop two new laughs, but Jeff Leach definitely hits all the right buttons (so to speak, ahem CULTURE, PEOPLE . Tsk.) and I would thoroughly recommend you try to catch him if you can (or before I do… WHAT?!)
Jeff is playing a handful of preview shows in London before heading to Edinburgh in August to perform his full show. All details can be found here (God, we’re helpful).
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