Culture Writer Chloe Melvin reviews comedy show Howl by John Robins, praising the comedian’s skilful handling of darker themes
Trigger warnings for Howl: alcoholism, anxiety
I arrived at my first ever comedy gig – John Robins’s brand-new tour show Howl – all alone in a new city and two hours early for the show, despite it being less than a five-minute walk from my hotel room. Robins would be proud. I have been a fan of Robins and his comedic partner Elis James for almost 5 years, and have remained a ‘Podcast Devotee’ (as they call fans of their BBC 5 Live radio show and podcast) since then. Listening to their hilarious and often touching conversations has been a regular part of my life for almost half a decade.
But I did not come to Howl just as a John Robins fan. A little over a year and a half ago, I learnt through listening to his podcast that we had both had significant breakups of long-term relationships in the same month, right before Christmas. I cannot vouch for his, but mine had been traumatic and painful. I coped better knowing that we had been comrades in grief. Robins so beautifully referenced this sense of loss in Howl, treading the line between comedy and tragedy in a way that no other comedian can. At times, we all joyously laughed in agreement when he shared his highly-strung, yet relatable feelings about the aggravating and socially ignorant things that members of the public do.
He talks so candidly about his struggles with anxiety and alcoholism that one cannot help but admire him
However, as Robins shows us, balance is the key. He talks so candidly about his struggles with anxiety and alcoholism that one cannot help but admire him; it takes courage not only to admit that you need help, but also to share your lowest moments with the audience. It was so weird to be an audience member instead of a podcast listener this time — I felt myself audibly verbalising a ‘yes’ and a ‘mmmh’ whenever he would discuss his journey with mindfulness and therapy, having been on the same journey myself. I wish that I could have seen Howl during some of my darker moments— it is so impactful that it verges on comforting.
But it was not just in sadness that I felt tears welling in my eyes— there were times when I could not stop laughing, as Robins parodied an ‘anti-woke’ contrarian, blaming various progressive groups for his problems. It was so much funnier in the knowledge that we, the audience, were of a shared sensibility and were all attending a comedy show fronted by a man who is honest and vulnerable about his feelings.
Robins shows us, like no other comedian can, that sorrow is just as much a part of joy as happiness
Robins shows us, like no other comedian can, that sorrow is just as much a part of joy as happiness. Quickly moving us between laughter and sadness, he took us through a range of emotions and showed how important it is to live with them, however disagreeable they might be to the outside world. Don’t be put off by the darker themes of Howl — embrace them.
If you are interested in seeing John Robins live with Howl, he has tour dates on 28th October in Birmingham and on 18th November in Coventry.
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