Every year, Oxfordshire Mind partners with Jericho Comedy to put on a charity gala at the Oxford Playhouse. Thanks to the pandemic, they’ve performed six out of the last seven years. I’ve been meaning to attend for nearly as long. This year, having finally seen it, I can say with confidence I'll be back again.
The show consisted of five sets: Steve Hall, Chelsea Birkby, Abi Clarke, an interval, and then either Daman Bamrah in the matinee or Nick Page for the evening show followed by an extended set from musical comedian Rachel Parris. All with regular Jericho Comedy Saturdays’ host Alex Farrow emceeing.
Farrow projects the kind of unassuming introverted vibe that makes you want to lean in further as if to hear him better. Having seen him perform several times, I can conclude his crowd work is always fantastic - witty and surprising but never mean. He was the perfect choice to host, as the off-the-cuff silliness loosened the crowd up for the wackier acts to follow.
Starting with Steve Hall, an everyman who could've stepped straight out of a nineties comedy about a dad fumbling through life. His routine was all kids-say-the-darndest-things and anecdotes about everyday interactions becoming as awkward as humanly possible. As a lot of humour and stand-up in Oxford feels aimed at twenty-somethings, it seemed refreshing to have Hall and Rachel Parris on board, both of whom aimed their observations at a slightly older demographic.
Next up, Jericho Comedy regular Chelsea Birkby, whose star has steadily risen over the last few years - her Edinburgh Fringe show No More Mr Nice Chelsea was critically acclaimed. Her comedy is conversational, performed with an ethereal voice and flighty manner. She talked about mental health, body positivity, and dating with the kind of nervous, rambling tone that belies how cleverly formatted the material is.
Abi Clarke, finished off the first half of the show, playing a sympathetic, riotous parody of a Gen-Z influencer. She talked about skincare routines, the pros and cons of having a flattering photo used for your missing person poster, and the calories in a certain bodily fluid (yes, really). It was likably hectic and gauche, and Clarke, a Bristol-based comedian who found viral success online during the lockdowns, clearly has the star power to carry off outrageous material.
After the intermission, we were back in with Daman Bamrah, whose droll, clever set about cultural traditions, the paradoxes of racism and defying expectations brought the house. It's always a delight to see a comedian use understatement masterfully: the quieter they get, the louder the crowd laughs.
And last but certainly not least, we were treated to an extended set from the ridiculously fun Rachel Parris. Parris opened her set with a song - accompanying herself on the keyboard - about how annoying it must be when comedians sing. Her set then proceeded with anecdotes about how the 'speedy boarders' scheme at the airport is an absolute scam, tweens these days are way too good at applying makeup, and why she knows her infant son is a true intellectual. There was also a parody song that mashed up the whole soundtrack of The Greatest Showman into one hideous masterpiece. Parris's joy and energy were infectious, and it was the perfect finale to a thoroughly enjoyable show, which culminated in representatives from Oxfordshire Mind talking a bit about the crucial work they do and accepting a giant shiny cheque.
Long may this January tradition continue!