One of UK comedy’s acknowledged masters of the avant-garde, the riskily niche cultural reference, and the extended riff on Geoffrey Chaucer, heads out on a national tour with his smash-hit hour of hyper-articulate stupidity and a title which will cause misery across arts desks around the UK.
We warned the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to expect catastrophic hilarity and John-Luke Roberts did not disappoint in what was one of the most unusual and unmissable shows in the comedy section. And now he’s coming for the rest of the comedy-loving Great British public!
Roberts’ arsenal this time may include – but is not limited to – ‘Worrissey’, a combination of Wario and Morrissey; a trek through the 24 lost Spice Girls (Mel A and D-Z); some stuff about pirates; and the unearthed Alan Bennett story ‘A House With Two Loos’. John-Luke reserves the right to discard any or all of these segments if the demographic of a given night proves unsuitable.
Amongst all the absurdity, John-Luke has steadily carved out a reputation as a master of mayhem, one of the most gleefully funny character/cabaret/Chaucer tribute acts to be found at the festival. Get ready to laugh hard again. Although nothing can fully prepare you for him. But it is still sensible to get ready, as you would for other shows.
John-Luke Roberts is a writer and Gaulier trained actor and comedian who has created 7 solo shows for the Edinburgh Fringe between 2010 and 2018, all of which have been critically acclaimed with several Soho Theatre transfers. Titles include cult favourites Stnad-Up, Stdad-Up, John-Luke Roberts Builds A Monster and Look on My Works, Ye Mighty, And Despair! (All in Caps).
He co-hosts the hugely successful Alternative Comedy Memorial Society with Thom Tuck, which has had residencies at the Soho Theatre, The New Red Lion, and The Bill Murray. Channel 4 commissioned a series of Blaps based on the club, directed by Chris Shepherd, which John-Luke wrote and starred in.
John-Luke has written for Have I Got News For You, Newzoids and Nevermind the Buzzcocks. His sitcom Bull, co-written with Gareth Gwynn, aired on UKTV Gold and starred Robert Lindsay and Maureen Lipman. He was part of the Royal Court Writers Group and received the BBC Radio Comedy Writers Bursary in 2009.
As an actor, he has appeared in Channel 4’s Babylon and played Nigel Mainpart in his sitcom Bull. He plays ‘Graeme’ in the world tour and West End run of hit parody play Graeme of Thrones.
Saturday 19th January The Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
www.thelowry.com / 0843 208 6000
Sunday 3rd February The Wardrobe, Bristol
www.thewardrobetheatre.com / 0117 902 0344
Saturday 9th February Colchester Arts Centre
www.colchesterartscentre.com / 01206 500 900
Sunday 10th February Komedia, Brighton
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton / 01273 647100
Wednesday 13th February The Cookie, Leicester
www.thecookieleicester.co.uk / 0116 253 1212
Wednesday 27th February Swindon Arts Centre
www.swindontheatres.co.uk / 01793 524 481
Sunday 3rd March Glee Club, Birmingham
www.glee.co.uk / 0871 472 0400
Friday 15th March Chorley Little Theatre
www.chorleylittletheatre.com / 01257 264 362
Saturday 16th March The Basement, York
www.thebasementyork.co.uk / 0871 902 5726
Friday 12th April The Rondo, Bath
www.rondotheatre.co.uk / 0333 666 3366
Monday 29th April Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh
www.monkeybarrelcomedy.com / 0131 225 5149
Friday 3rd May Norden Farm, Maidenhead
https://norden.farm / 01628 788 997
Friday 10th May Stockton ARC
www.arconline.co.uk / 01642 525 199
Saturday 11th May Northampton Royal & Derngate (Underground)
www.royalandderngate.co.uk / 01604 624 811
