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If You Prefer A Milder Comedian, Please Ask For One...Stewart Lee: stand up review

By James Mullinger in GQ Posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Stewart Lee’s solo stand-up shows are typically the highlight of the more discerning comedy fan’s calendar. Previously setting up shop in smaller fringe venues, Lee now has a bigger following than ever thanks to his uniquely brilliant BBC2 series Comedy Vehicle that screened earlier this year to wide critical acclaim.

His new show (ingeniously titled If You Prefer A Milder Comedian Please Ask For One) began its month long residency at the Leicester Square Theatre (one of the best theatres for stand up in the capital) last night. Having previously toured provincial theatres with this show it arrived already honed to perfection.

Beginning in a High Street coffee chain and ending in a pear cider which is 100 per cent disappointment, the show takes in a vast spectrum of subjects but ultimately the bulk of the rage (and despite being softly spoken in Lee’s transfixing and soothing dulcet tones, it is pure simmering rage) it directed at the staggering awfulness of many of Lee’s fellow entertainers working today.

As with all Lee’s shows there is something for everyone, which inevitably means all of it is not for everyone all the time as he delights in pointing out when jokes kill in certain sections of the room and bomb in others. Lee would hate me to say it but the show is eminently quotable and I am still laughing at certain turns of phrase and repeated words. People spouting comedy catchphrases is the type of thing Lee loathes but I know my friends and I will be quoting favourite lines for years to come.

Ricky Gervais called Lee “The funniest, most cliché-free comedian on the circuit”. He is right of course, but Lee does not need the platitudes of Hollywood pandering greedmongers, he is a man happy to do what he does and do it well. I have seen every Lee show for the past four years and what elevates this to something special is the touching musings on fatherhood and the culmination of the show when Lee sings a folk song that – having spent the bulk of my childhood in folk clubs – is really rather excellent.

There is not much left to say except that the greatest comedian in the country has done it again. Am I surprised? No. Am I pleased? Of course. The intelligence and profundity behind every word he utters is impressive but irrelevant. The simple fact is that he will make you laugh like a drain. That you will not be able to get his wise words you of your head is merely an added bonus.

The atmosphere in the theatre was electric and there was a genuine feeling that he had witnessed stand up at its most amazing. As I left the theatre last night I heard another punter say, “This must have been what it was like to see Bill Hicks at his peak.” I’ve heard variations on that compliment uttered before and always thought them grossly inappropriate and overstated. On this occasion however I would have to agree.

If You Prefer A Milder Comedian, Please Ask For One, 7 December – 17 January

Written by James Mullinger in GQ on 8th December 2009. Filed Under: If You Prefer A Milder Comedian Please Ask For One, Reviews
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