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
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