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Much A-Stew About NothingReview: Stewart Lee @ Colston Hall ★★★★

By Sid Sagar in Intermission Bristol Posted on Saturday, October 26th, 2013

Stewart Lee has long been held in high regard and has been branded as “probably the cleverest comedian working in Britain” (Guardian). Given this reputation, the anticipation at the sold out Colston Hall was almost tangible as the lights went down.

Lee emerged to rapturous applause before explaining that the material for this ‘Much a-Stew About Nothing’ tour would come in the form of four half-hour slots he was preparing for a new TV show, to be recorded in December.
He went on to explain that there would definitely be an encore, but likened this free extra to “finding a miniature statue of Hitler in your cereal” instead of a toy.

The first half of the show was the strongest, with a particular highlight being an analysis of the phrase chalk and cheese as an analogy for difference. Lee explained that these are actually very similar as they are both solid, similar in colour and are mostly composed of Calcium, before offering an alternative: chalk and regret.

Lee has always been regarded as standing outside the comedy mainstream and this soon became clear after fellow stand-ups Michael McIntyre, Jimmy Carr and Jim Davidson came into the firing line, followed by a topical dig at the idiocy of Russell Brand “using words without knowing their actual meaning” which drew widespread applause from the audience.

The second half of the show took the form of more observational comedy and was backboned by a long critique of UKIP’s deputy leader Paul Nuttall’s views on the immigration of skilled Bulgarian workers.
Lee imagined Nuttall telling previous immigrants, such as the Poles and West Indians not to bother coming here. This was taken to a surreal level, extending Nuttall’s remarks back in time to the Anglo Saxons, the Neolithics and the first fish to ever make it on to land to begin the process of evolution.

Despite some lacklustre moments in the latter stages, much of Lee’s material is among his sharpest, most intelligent and well thought out of his career.
If this is merely a dress rehearsal for his new TV show, the final product coming out next year must be looked forward to with great excitement.

Written by Sid Sagar in Intermission Bristol on 26th October 2013. Filed Under: Much A Stew About Nothing, Reviews
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