Culture Writer Charis Gambon writes about Andrew Bird’s stand-up comedy show and praises his ability to talk about difficult topics while keeping it humorous
Andrew Bird is a comedian from Northamptonshire who has been participating in comedy for twenty years. He has supported some bigger-name comedians such as Jason Manford and Michael McIntyre across the country. Bird began his show by making the joke that he is ‘his own support act.’ Both so he ‘can say he is so good he has the same support act as Michael McIntyre’ and because ‘he’s too cheap to pay for another act.’
Bird’s jokes are relatable and funny for everyone who attends his shows; there will be a joke for everybody to enjoy
Bird’s jokes are relatable and funny for everyone who attends his shows; there will be a joke for everybody to enjoy. Highlighting the absurdity of the effect of COVID-19 on the world he says, ‘for the love of god, if something is funny, laugh’ – and we all need it at this stage. He jokes about home-schooling his children for 7 months, which is definitely something a large percentage of people can relate to.
After a run into success, finally getting his first televised gig in his 20 years of stand up, Bird was feeling like ‘it would take something monumental’ to derail his momentum – this was his last thought before the news of COVID-19 hit, and as a result, Bird spent even longer building his excellent act while most of us watched Netflix in our pyjamas.
In order to encourage audience participation, he uses the audience to create some of his jokes. This makes Bird’s act more successful as it adds an element of spontaneity and makes each performance slightly different – and therefore special. Looking at humour about his audience such as his jabs at the builders in the audience that a heckle will take ‘6 months’ and he will still need to call the plumber to have him finish his heckle later.
Andrew Bird uses elements of dark humour in his performance, talking about difficult topics in a way that respects what others have experienced and keeps it humorous; for example, he debated joking about Ian Cognito – who sadly died on stage – before concluding: ‘Ian would’ve joked about it.’
Laughing with Bird is somewhat like laughing with a friend in a pub
Comedy is a thing the world is sorely lacking in current troubled times, and watching Andrew Bird is absolutely a reminder of what we all hope to get back to. Going to see him offers an experience with a very grounded but also very talented individual; laughing with Bird is somewhat like laughing with a friend in a pub, and the embellishments to Bird’s stories have you truly drawn into the moment and hanging on every word. I would genuinely recommend to anybody that they go and watch one of his shows – I will certainly be going to see another one of Andrew Bird’s shows!
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