Jack Whitehall: Let’s Not Speak of This Again – The Lowry Theatre, Salford

Reviewer: Poppy Helm

The Public Reviews Rating:

Having earned his stripes with sell-out shows at Edinburgh Festival and as a regular on Channel 4′s ’8 Out of 10 Cats’, Jack Whitehall has officially shed his ‘newcomer’ status and taken up his rightful position as a fully-fledged comedian – at the front of a Lyric Theatre packed to capacity.

James Acaster – a gangly character with blonde curls and sensible trousers – is charged with warming up tonight’s audience, and a fine job he does too. Many inexperienced comedians find easy laughs with a world-weary ‘everything is rubbish’ routine but instead Acaster reminds us of the simple joys in life – hiding behind doors and spotting that first glimpse of sea on a family day out. It may lack an element of sophistication, but his ability to find amusement in even the most banal (think cheese graters and shopping trolleys) suggest he is a comic to watch out for; after all, he’s unlikely to ever run out of suitable subject matter.

An excessive blast from the smoke machine announces tonight’s main act, who bursts onto stage and launches straight into an opening routine guaranteed to win over the audience – a celebration of Mancunian pride. Unusually, Whitehall spends very little time talking to the audience, though judging by his swift admonitions of anyone sneaking out for a comfort break mid-routine, it seems more likely that this is because he’s got so much material to get through, rather than a lack of confidence or ability. In his most passionate moments, Whitehall slips into a slightly Russell Brand-esque style (think crotch thrusting and waving theatrically) but without all the nasty controversy. A dramatic recreation of a Jeremy Kyle episode is typical of Whitehall’s style – untamed enthusiasm but largely family-friendly; despite a generous scattering of expletives this is still a show you could bring teenage kids to. From explaining why stag parties are ruining our chances in the Eurovision Song Contest to expressing his disappointment at not bedding the future queen, Whitehall is engaging, energetic and very, very funny.