Having been a fan of the Elis James and John Robins Podcast
for quite a few years, I thought it was time to finally check out John Robin’s
solo work live (he’s got a few shows available on bandcamp for download – all well
worth checking out).
With 8 previous Edinburgh shows, Robins has had plenty of
time to cut his comedy teeth and find his voice.
This show was the counterpoint to Sara Pascoe’s LadsLadsLads,
a recounting of the same break up but from the other side.
This was an hour of incredible comedy. Robins is a strong
personality, an intriguing mix of strong, almost arrogant self-assuredness mixed
with deep shame about his faults and with no qualms about bearing his pain for our
entertainment.
It’s an hour of intensely funny, emotionally intelligent
observations of break-ups, of his own self and adjusting to be single again.
Oddly, despite the almost larger-than-life persona, there’s
a roguish charm to Robins and he manages to get the audience to sympathise with
him, even with the moments of self-flagellation and self-deprecation.
The highlight of the show is the finale – an extended monologue
where Robins details the start, build-up and messy, sad, tattered end of the
relationship and the miserable Christmas post-break-up he and Pascoe spent
together. The punchline though… good God: comic genius.
Apparently it’s been filmed for distribution but I’m not
sure on which platform – regardless it’ll be a delight to watching this
Edinburgh Comedy Award winning hour again.
Score: 10/10
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
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