Review: Josh Jones: Gobsmacked

After his Best Newcomer nomination, Josh Jones proves himself a charming and nimble stand-up in his sophomore hour Gobsmacked. He inspires confidence through his own confidence, undoubtedly honed coming up through the Manchester comedy scene. 

Jones skilfully creates imagery, however unsettling (the scene he paints of a Furby's demise was playing in my head before I went to sleep). Another talent is bringing everyone on board for an obscure joke, giving just enough exposition, for those unfamiliar with a 2004 romantic film, to appreciate the punchline. 

He skips from anecdote to anecdote: his beef with geese, his girth, head-butting, giving head, his mum's psychic, dreamcatchers, a breakup, a new relationship, Queen Victoria, fantasising over footballers. For all this varied fun, for all that he tells us about himself, a more robust routine might help us get to know him more. Yet it's undeniable the zippy delivery holds everyone's attention – as with a pacemaker, you have to keep up.