Stewart Lee.co.uk

×

Basic LeeLiverpool crowd in stitches as comic says show is his worst ever

The ECHO was in attendance as the comedy legend was at his brilliant best at the Philharmonic Hall

By Ryan Paton in Liverpool Echo Posted on Thursday, February 8th, 2024

“I wouldn’t do this for a living if it went like this every night.”

If it was any other comedian saying this, you’d assume they were having a nightmare evening with a tough crowd at the Philharmonic Hall. However, Stewart Lee is not just any other comic and this high risk schtick of calling out the audience is part of the uniquely brilliant alternative style of comedy he pioneered – and has now mastered.

The comedy legend has perfected the act of being frustrated with the crowd for not being on his level or – how he hilariously puts it – for “not knowing things when the whole show is about things”. But the routine of hating the craft he’s devoted the past 35 years of his life to is so steeped in irony that when he claimed last night was the “worst the set had ever gone”, it was clear this meant it was actually going entirely to plan.

The comedian has been honing his latest stand up tour, Basic Lee, for the past 18 months and Wednesday’s show represented the fourth and final time it will be performed in Liverpool. In classic fashion, the comedian joked four shows in Liverpool was “an act of hubris” as fans in attendance yesterday were the 25% least interested ticketholders – and the most unlikely to understand his comedy genius.

However, this, of course, was not the case and the Comedy Vehicle star had the crowd in fits of laughter throughout the evening with another perfectly constructed night of stand up. The synopsis of Basic Lee promised a stripped back return to the comedian’s stand up roots after the high concept Snowflake/Tornado tour.

Although the new show appears looser, it is still expertly crafted and dissects the structure of a typical stand up show with routines on opening sets, crowd work and a parody of the big emotional finish. The comic’s distinctive style is present throughout and contains the sort of routines he is renowned for with political riffs on taking a non committal approach to writing jokes on Tory cabinet members because it will inevitably become quickly dated when they’re fired or resign.

The comedian has never been afraid to take aim and mock high profile figures during his shows with fellow comedians such as Jimmy Carr and Ricky Gervais coming under fire in previous tours. Particular standout sections in the latest tour include a set on Phoebe Waller Bridge “inventing talking to the camera” and a routine that “addresses without addressing” JK Rowling’s controversial transgender views.

Nothing is safe from mockery during a Stewart Lee show and he always takes time out to even make fun of his most devoted fans for taking a high and mighty approach for being able to get his humour. This even makes writing a review praising the routine feel slightly embarrassing as you can imagine it being read out in a sarcastic tone by the comic.

However, although he may satirise any praise that comes his way, the plaudits couldn’t be more deserved as he has once again crafted another brilliant stand up set to add to his collection. Basic Lee is basic only in name.

Written by Ryan Paton in Liverpool Echo on 8th February 2024. Filed Under: 2024, Basic Lee, Reviews
Previous Press Item
Next Press Item
Stewart Lee