COMEDY

I did wonder what on earth was in store for this almost capacity audience, when the British National Anthem blares at the top of this show. An as yet unseen, Jen Brister, urges us all to stand to attention and sing. Thankfully nobody does, the music is cut, and the comedian gets down to the business at hand.

Brister’s mother is Spanish, but her father’s English. The result is a stunningly attractive “sepia tinged” comic, who is forever being asked where she comes from “originally”. Or as she put it – where she “really, really” comes from.  This question leads her to consider what it really means to be British(ish).

To attempt to list the highlights of this show would be futile; the whole thing was so mightily impressive. Her stereotypically overbearing mother was given – or if we believe Brister – gave the comedian, many of the show’s best lines. The idea that her mum couldn’t pronounce ‘Stephen’, her own son’s name, set the ball rolling.

Brister also talks openly about being a lesbian. The routine around having to watch girl-on-girl porn with a room full of strangers was hilarious, but the point about women’s treatment in such films was well made.

Brister’s timing was perfect and her mimicry spot on. Upper class English, working class Australian and of course, her mums Spanish were beautifully voiced.

This was as near a perfect stand up performance as I have seen. On the basis of tonight, she would look very much at home on any stage, any size, anywhere. If Jen Brister is not appearing on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow very, very soon, then perhaps Stewart Lee, the finest stand up on the planet, can find a space on his Comedy Vehicle’s red button. There is no greater accolade.