Andrew White: Coming of Age

• Katharine Gemmell
• 22 August 2018

This article is from 2018.

Fine set for audiences both young and older

One way to get people paying attention to your comedy show is by threatening to open your A-level results live on stage. And this is exactly what Andrew White does as he announces his results at the end of his show about coming of age. Aside from this ploy, which undoubtedly plays at a hidden desire for schadenfreude, Andrew White's set is an unexpected success. For the younger audience members it offers up light-hearted, insightful advice on what it's like to be 18, and for the older audience, it's a nostalgic look at those years on the cusp of adulthood.

White combines jokes about how stupid bigotry is with anecdotes about his own sexuality that hints at a knowing maturity not visible on his line-free face. A delightful mime scene where he acts out going clubbing for the first time is hilarious and captures the essence of his joie de vivre.

Obviously, a rookie such as White will have hints of nervousness, while pacing is an area with room for improvement. However, as pointed out in his anti-conclusion, he has only just started out in life, never mind in comedy, and he hasn't merited a conclusion just yet.

PQA Venues @ Riddle's Court, until 27 Aug (not 21), 6pm, £5 in advance or donations at the venue.