The Komedia Studio, buzzed in anticipation of the show from great friends Robin Ince and Joanna Neary, heightened by both artists on stage at the start as the audience come in. The set in which they sit is like a study with books (bought from Brighton’s Amnesty Books) piled on the desk and them on their laptops. They were very amicable when I asked for a photo. They were chatting to the people in the front row and friends who’d come along. They were very sweet and obliging when I asked if I could take a pic for this review.
The couple of friends had created an unusual and a very cosy atmosphere which was perfect for what was to follow. This was rather like a friendly chat plus poems and character led comedy thrown in – utterly brilliant.
Ince starts off and continues delivering an hilarious stream of consciousness.
Some of the subjects were James Hayter (“Mr Kipling makes exceedingly good cakes”), sitting in coffee shops, gigs, a Duran Duran tribute act plus watching a porno film, with Martin Amiss and Clive James. You know when we say “you couldn’t write it”? Well he did and I was delighted.
From his poems the two that were memorable for me were ‘Jam First or Acid First’ about a woman in a hedge at Glastonbury and ‘Mansplaining The Menopause’ which needs no further explanation, but you’re left hoping she’d used that knife. You’ll have to read/see it yourself if you want to know more as I’m still too busy giggling about it!
I noticed a couple in front of me leaving which surprised me – I mean surely Ince and Neary are offensive? A family emergency? An urgent requirement for both to use the loo at the same time? However, when a few more got up later Ince commented on it as well and it was surmised that they’d come into the wrong show and meant to be at Jim Crase in the next auditorium! This surely will go into another poem later.
Joanna Neary steps up next, although they have shared comments throughout, and her observations and thoughts were hilarious and deliciously psychedelic – no she wasn’t the woman in the Glastonbury hedge on acid!
We’re also treated to poems about going nearly going and going to Falmouth Art School as well as other family stories. Her pieces in character are just wonderful and often drawn from life such as the woman’s WI talk on sex toys, Celia Johnson and more.
True to form for the atmosphere they stay on stage throughout the interval.
The second act was delightfully packed with more of the same with Ince’s ‘Proud Dad’ and his neurodivergent poems being particularly touching.
They come together more talking about comedy and reminding each other about particular stories they should share.
Neary is beautifully chaotic and wonderful in her song (excuse me Joanna if I’ve got the title wrong) ‘Eco Boutiqueo’ where she positively oozes with images of an insane Kate Bush.
She also gave us a song in Kate Bush stylie once more about a messy drawer. I need to point out at this point that Neary requests words from the audience to put into the songs which is genius and adds to the hilarity.
What emerged from the night was utter delight and hilarity plus realising that you’d just seen two great friends bantering in public as though alone in that aforementioned study. If you get the chance to see one of their collaborations, then rush to get tickets as this is not just comedy it’s Ince and Neary comedy!
Robin Ince– Comedian, Writer, Broadcaster
Robin Ince is many things. A multi award winning comedian, author, broadcaster, bibliomaniac and a populariser of scientific ideas. He is perhaps best known as the co-host and co-creator of the Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox.
As a stand up Robin has toured the world and as an author he has written four acclaimed books, including Bibliomaniac, earned him the prestigious Booksellers Association Author of the Year award. His fifth, Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal is published in May 2025.
He co-created the Cosmic Shambles Network and created the ground breaking science variety night Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People which has been adapted worldwide. He has received an Honorary Fellowship of UCL, an honorary doctorate from Royal Holloway College (University of London), and is a fellow of the British Science Association.
‘When someone writes a history of modern comedy, they should make room for Robin Ince’ – Time Out ‘An alchemic mix of enthusiasm, knowledge and observation’. The Scotsman
‘Robin is like a piece of a Jenga puzzle – pull him out and a lot of things would collapse. Without Robin, comedy would be a very different shape and a generation is grateful’. Stewart Lee
‘Robin has genuinely changed the conversation internationally, not just nationally, about science’ Natalie Haynes
Jo Neary – Comedian, Illustrator, Writer
Joanna Neary is an award-winning writer and comedian, who has acted in TV series such as How Are You – It’s Alan Partridge, Ideal, Time Trumpet, That Mitchell And Webb Look, Man Down, So Awkward and more.
Radio writing and performing credits include Inbox: The Art Of Now, Wosson Cornwall, Out To Lunch and Library Lady for BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2.
Joanna writes for Aquila magazine, specialising in articles for children about art and maths, and has made illustrations for The Great British Colouring Book (Professional Cartoonists Organisation), The XTC Bumper Book For Boys and Girls, A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes by Lucy Nichol (Trigger Press), as well as Draw The Line, which won Broken Frontier’s Award for Best Webcomic (Street Noise Books).
Proudly working with Robin Ince since 2004 in shows such as Book Club and Nine Lessons, Jo’s pen and ink self-portrait appears in Robin’s book ‘Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal’. Jo is currently touring a new work in progress show and hosting her podcast of the same name ‘Two Strings and Paint Tins’ which is about making things and finding a way. You can also hear character comedy ‘Wife On Earth’ on all pod platforms.
‘Truly inventive and way beyond most bog standard stand-up. A genuinely original talent, who builds bonfires with the tired preconceptions of female stand-ups.’ Johnny Vegas
‘All the characters are given a slightly crazed delivery and invested with an other-worldliness that sets her above your common-or-garden character comic. Quite brilliant’ **** Chortle
‘Neary is a character actress par excellence, not only are her characters well observed and immaculately performed, but they are well written and, most importantly, funny… A Joyce Grenfell of our age.’ The Guardian
Komedia Studio
44-47 Gardner Street, Brighton. BN1 1UN
Sun 18 Oct, 7.30pm (doors 7pm)
