Howlers Comedy Night
with Ross Smith, Jenny Hart, Joey Page & Josh Jones
13th November 25 – Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham
The rain had arrived despite not being forecast. A car had broken down on the Racecourse road ensuring congested mayhem. The barman in the pub over the road forgot to give me my change and the box office had no record of my ticket allocation…the makings of a very modern tragedy.
However, for those that think about life, it is a comedy!
Playing to the room, compere Ross Smith insisted he is “not the best on the circuit but he is thorough.” Consequently, his eye for detail made for a composed and assured opening routine. His ability to react to comments, asides and contributions is admirable: “What do you mean you had to change your name on FB because you are a PCSO? I know PCSOs that don’t change their underwear.” Not only did the audience warm up, the comedians were, accordingly, desperate to take to the stage, due to Ross Smith’s hard work which he made look as easy as giving someone back their change.
“Trans in the house”…Jenny Hart is an anomaly, a very funny enchantress who can not only provoke head-back guffawing but also an edifying glimpse of a teachable moment. Hart took some of the ignorance, prejudices and perceived trans-gressions in the room and corrupted the perspectives for our comedic gain. Glorious. Unselfishly, Hart was prepared to carry a torch into the dark recesses of society, on our behalf and light up the injustices and inequalities. The dark skits, accompanied with x2 chords, about the paedo’ dog, her Dad (sic), and the cat were as joyous as finally jump-starting your car, in the dark, during peak time traffic. I feel this “prick with a guitar” made a lasting impression…
As one gent made his way to the toilet mid-gig, Jenny Hart, not missing a beat or an opportunity, simply stage whispered…“I’ll see you in the toilet in a minute.”
“I’m better at this then I look,” was Joey Page’s opening line, disarming an already agreeable audience. Page is aware, very aware “and if a kid was to go missing in the area he would quickly be a person of interest.” Page, is a great technician and the opening gambits aimed at mocking himself for laughs allowed a free rein later in the act. Our erudite class warrior then set about dismantling society for our collective pleasure. Having much to say about – …the avocado eating, croc-wearing, Land Drover driving… – elements of society. When the soundman, traditionally distracted by his night’s duties like weather forecasters preoccupied with the rain is applauding and laughing animatedly – you have delivered.
The headlining “bummer and bummee” (unsure of spelling due to neologism), Josh Jones, had the pleasure of bringing the curtain-closing end to the evening but this was no veil of decency, thankfully. Admitting it was his (£80!) Mckenzie’s coat that determined his sexual proclivity all those years ago, we were treated to a snapshot Josh’s lifestyle: his cold sore, a constant infectious reminder of his “slut years.” Jones has honed his excitable toddler persona over a ten year career and the highly buffed performance was an exhibition of timing and punchlines. This man is so good at what he does, he even “shagged his way into a better postcode.” Not sure all he informed us of was true and if his Mother was angry with him for giving away a family secret – well that would be hard to swallow. Josh Jones cleverly subverts homophobia and the resulting jokes were as satisfying as the Playhouse box office kindly and professionally dealing with a genuine misunderstanding.
Grinning involuntarily due to the calibre of the evening, we drove through some standing rain on the empty roads, under a clear sky. And once again I thought of one quote I read so many years ago: “For those that think about life, it is a comedy and for those that feel, it is a tragedy.” For those taking to the stage on the night, I think and feel they do both.
By: The Swilgate Scuttler
Ps For Mel and Paul at TH&TH records who both think about and feel life, on a daily basis.
Photos by Paul Creed:
Standing left to right, Ross Smith and Joey Page. Middle, Josh Jones. Bottom, Jenny Hart
Ross Smith, compere