Page 30 - Katherine Ryan press pack 2015-20

Shot in the same Manhattan club where he got his start in the 1980s, 2017’s Jerry
Before Seinfeld special sees the sitcom champ looking wistfully back with some low-
stakes but well-sculpted material.
Best bit: “I had glasses at 10, braces at 12. I said to my parents: ‘Let’s not stop now
… how about a hearing aid?’” GV

John Mulaney

Kid Gorgeous Netflix

Like a Simpsons approximation of a standup brought to life: classical in style, family-
friendly and a toothy grin. His second Netflix special is a doozy, with routines on
college fees, meeting famous people, and the greatest Trump routine to date.
Best bit: There’s a horse, loose, in the hospital. PF

John-Luke Roberts
All I Wanna Do Is... Go Faster Stripe (£5)

Absurdist fans gather. Roberts combines surrealism with his considerable chops for
writing jokes and inhabiting characters. This show doubles as both a run-through of
“all the other Spice Girls”, and a heartfelt appreciation of laughter in the face of
confusion.
Best bit: “Crone spice.” PF

Jordan Brookes
Body of Work NextUp

The breakthrough show from the comic who won last year’s Edinburgh comedy
award, in which the sinewy strange-behaviour merchant covers “bad thought-
marbles”, talking body parts and his dead gran.
Best bit: “Nana was one of those women who’d walk into a room and you’d go:
‘There’s Nana’” – and the ensuing routine. BL

Josie Long

Cara Josephine Sohotheatreondemand.com (£4)

The usually enthusiastic comic is in a contemplative mood here: recovering from a
big breakup, obsessed with outdoor swimming, and able to deliver a seemingly
innocuous story about her sister’s wedding with an emotional sledgehammer of a
punchline. An 80-minute softening of the soul we can all benefit from.
Best bit: A surprisingly touching anecdote about her ex responding to period
blood. HG