Review: Simon Amstell, The Journal Tyne Theatre

By Sam Wonfor, The Journal

ANYONE who had come to see Simon Amstell on the back of his TV presenting prowess may have left the theatre a little confused.

Although the curly-haired comedian did display the quick wit and caustic sarcasm he is known and loved for, those used to seeing it directed at vulnerable panellists on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, (and of course, Westlife) will have been surprised to see his simmering frustrations levelled firmly (and funnily) at himself.

The show started in understated fashion, with the simple declaration: “I’m lonely”... and off we went on a journey around a selection of woe-soaked tales, illustrating Simon’s perpetual singledom, and the subsequent uselessness of his second sink. It was an insightful and very funny account of one man’s quest for a skinny and pasty partner.

Laying himself and his vulnerability on the figurative table, the only flashes of outward-aimed tongue acid came when his train-of-script was interrupted by crowd members who couldn’t wait for a toilet break.

(Very) soon, it became clear why he was so keen not to be interrupted ... there was apparently a very strict schedule to be adhered to.

Dot on the one-hour mark, Amstell brought the show to a full-circle stop, thanked us for coming and exited stage right

‘Nee encore? He’s joking isn’t he?’ huffed my next-seat neighbour.

Apparently for the first time that evening, he was not.