I missed Anthony Jeselnik when he last played in the UK in 2018 (I could have gone to one of his two midweek 10.30 p.m. shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, but I was a 'responsible' pharmacist who had to work the next day). I have regretted that ever since. He's remained at the top of my comedian bucket list.
Now, I can scratch his name off that list. I wouldn't have missed his performance for anything. Indeed, I even sold my tickets to Simon Brodkin at the Pavilion for tonight so I could go.
On the way to the Armadillo, I noticed a youth in a full Indiana Jones costume. Beside him walked a shorter boy in a black, full-length leather coat and hat, reminiscent of the villain Toht, played by Ronald Lacey in the first Raiders film. I didn't recognise the costumes worn by the two girls. Only later, when I passed an angel with massive wings and another girl/boy dressed in something weird, did I realise it wasn't for a fancy dress party. They had all been to the Acme Comic Con at the SEC, which had just finished for the day.
The Hydro and the Armadillo had a small police presence outside. Perhaps some prankster had alerted them to a possible fight at the location (the Hydro was hosting PFL Europe, an MMA night) or to the presence of youths brandishing weapons (I saw an unmasked Deadpool with crossed swords across his back). Or maybe they were there to arrest Anthony due to reports he was going to kill tonight.
Anthony is a master of misdirection and shock. His dark jokes can actually take your breath away because of the gut punch his punchlines deliver. Anthony won't win any awards for his joke rate; his delivery is deliberately slow and teasing. But when he lands his joke, it'll knock you out every time.
Before the main man, though, we were treated to a support act in the form of Kelly Ryan, a US comic who regularly tours with Anthony. She offered us her tight twenty. She was funny, but sitting in row D of the stalls, I, unfortunately, had a green spotlight shining in my eyeline, causing me to close one eye and then both. I worryingly nearly nodded off and had to force myself to stay awake.
Fortunately, my attention woke up for Anthony. Dressed in a battered leather jacket and dark jeans, he prowled the stage bathed in red light, adding a devilish tinge to proceedings. His opening material was so sharp I actually winced at one point, covering my mouth and nose with my hands like I'd been punched in the face. His car crash gender reveal party punchline was outstanding.
Then, I began to predict where some of the jokes would go (revealing him as the villain), thus losing their shock value. He finished with an extended story about working with one of his heroes, Norm McDonald, on Last Comic Standing, which I think would have worked better as an encore story (there was no encore). Perhaps he felt he needed to tell it as a tribute to his late hero.
He's been touring this material for two years, so it's bound to be filmed for a special soon. It might not have had the same impact on screen that it did live, so I'm glad I finally got to witness him in person. He was brilliant.
Ticket Price:
1 Artist Presale Ticket £50.00
£6.75 (Service Charge Artist Presale Ticket) x1
£1.70 (Facility Charge Artist Presale Ticket) x1
Order Processing Fees Handling Fee £2.00
Total £60.45
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