Chelsea Birkby is taking Jericho by storm with her comedy, and using her superpower for good, as all profits of this particular show went towards raising money for none other than Cancer Research. I can say that nearly £300 was raised by the event, which was the goal, so a congratulations to everyone involved there is in order. Making people laugh and saving lives? What a night.

First up for the show was opener Alex Farrow, who also runs the Jericho Comedy scene, which has recently been rated top 6 Comedy nights in the UK in both 2019 and 2020 by Chortle. It’s clear Farrow has been doing this for a while, his crowd work never disappoints – getting the audience to ease in and feel comfortable before the star of the night takes the stage (which she did to, of course, 2000s pop hits – it is Cheeky Cheeky, after all). Farrow manages to find links in the audience for jokes to circle back to later. Ranging from a deep desire to dress like a Hobbit, to his recent existential DIY project over a Shark hoover (the exact model and make was very important).

This is the part that really shows the popularity of Jericho Comedy at Common Ground on Little Clarendon Street. A warm and welcoming event space, adorned in posters of events and local bands in Oxford, with plants and lighting that feels cozy and inviting. Made especially intimate for comedy, with us all crowded around together in a mismatch of furniture that would make your eccentric aunt jealous.Many people get picked out of the audience had been talked to before. A small community formed in the heart of Jericho, it seems, but this did later cause some issues with the show. Many almost feeling it to be their moment to shine – the front row comfortable enough to crack their own jokes with Chelsea. But, after many shows, Birkby and Farrow may have different comedy styles but they share one thing in common: they know how to save a flat joke.

Any time a joke fell flat, which I promise was not too often, there was a smooth recovery or swift move on from Farrow. And for Birkby, her persona as a shy girly girl in need of reassurance from the audience – well, it only works in her favour. Able to make a joke out of any joke that doesn’t work is why Birkby has done so well these days. This is her second show in under a year, and so much new material to share, that one can’t help but feel this comedian is storming her way to something great – a real rising star. One that loves to talk about Adam Levigne, Kim Kardashian and her inappropriate relationship with her therapist.

Chelsea Birkby’s stand up set for Cancer Research kept a theme of objectification and her ever-evolving relationship with her body, which ended somehow with her Nan buried ass out in her coffin after a BBL related incident (Brazilian Butt Lift for those of you who didn’t know). Birkby bared all vulnerability when it came to her body, sex, sexting, and her bipolar disorder. A set that I think a lot of women will appreciate, as Birkby never pretends to have all the answers, but simply invites the audience into a glimpse of her mind and how she feels. The entire set felt very intimate and left everyone feeling good about themselves.

Although the themes can easily be put down to body image, objectification and mental health. I rather think it also had a growing motif of Port Meadow and horses, and yet those things, apparently, are more related than you’d think.

The only criticism with Birkby’s performance can be put down to nerves. There were times where she would lose her place, get nervous and have to repeat herself. If there is one thing Birkby needs, it is confidence – delivery of the punch lines without need to laugh along with the audience. This does, though, lend itself to the persona that Birkby plays into, and makes the audience lean in for more, rather than pull back. With laughs like these, Birkby has no reason to be nervous.

With more jokes on objectification, how her dad discovered he wanted a BBL because they were looking at nude paintings in the National Gallery together. Birkby has mastered the art of circling back, when she does this, not just with one joke, but several all heading to a climax about a philosophical Port Meadow experience with a slight implication of an almost Catherine The Great affair with a horse, as she discovers majestic beauty and mindfulness. A full circle moment for Birkby, as she galloped off the stage with her new found mindfulness, after taking dance requests from the audience.

I would definitely recommend a Chelsea Birkby show for anyone in the mood for comedy, and wanting to sit back and laugh at the more difficult parts of life together.