Andrew Lawrence

Bridport Arts Centre

He’s been vilified on social media for being un-PC after an ill-judged Facebook posting. But Andrew Lawrence is really just a misanthropic comedian railing at hypocrisy.

Lawrence delivers world-weary rants at diverse subjects such as pumped-up gym junkies – looking ‘bubble-wrapped’ – and vegans ‘looking ill’.

It’s a jaded view of life which he’s turned into a two-hour show of skilled entertainment and understated observational humour.

Despite his cynicism Lawrence is a very engaging performer.

He spends the first ten minutes talking to the front row who are all members of a hen party from Leicester.

He’s understandably astonished that they’ve decided to come to a show called Reasons to Kill Yourself.

His cutting miserabilist act has led to three series of his own on Radio 4 and regular TV appearances.

You can see why when he embarks on one of his extended rants.

He’s like a rapper in full flow, full of hyperbolic alliterations which expose human failings.

It’s breathtaking stuff and after each declamation he receives the applause normally associated with a jazz soloist.

Comedy may well have saved Lawrence from killing himself.

What other job rewards musings on the futility of human existence.

GRAHAM JAMES