There can’t be a more Oxford night out than tickets to Jericho Comedy‘s Saturday night stand-up at Common Ground on Little Clarendon Street. Because not only will you enjoy an introduction to the newest up-and-coming comedians, hailing from all over the country and further afield, but their audience is just as eclectic.
Common Ground is an enticing space for those of you who haven’t been, the community hub housing a social co-working café and arts space, hosting endless wonderful events from live music and pop-up supper clubs to vintage markets, DJ sets, life drawing, films, and so much more.
But come Saturday night, it’s Jericho Comedy who takes centre stage, with an early (6pm) and late show (8.40pm) c/o four comedians who change on a weekly basis.
Arrive in time to buy a drink at the bar and settle into the comfy seats and sofas in front of the stage, the sell-out crowd providing the perfect fodder for Jericho Comedy compere Alex Farrow, who sweeps on stage to warm the audience up before every gig and kicks off the fun.
An abject professional, he immediately interacts with the audience, getting them in the mood for a night of laughter, hilarity and ingenuity, his own brand of stand-up going down a treat, as he gauges exactly what sort of crowd he has in.
And what an esteemed rabble – from cyber security experts to AI researchers, novelists and Formula 1 teams, we felt like total under achievers, as the audience revealed itself. But what would they make of the talent on stage?
Last Saturday’s comic line-up consisted of Peter Brush, Becky Umbers, Catriona Dowden and Adam Flood, all introduced by Alex as they plied their trade, demonstrating how diverse and unique different sets can be, as well as their sense of humour.
Peter Brush, a BBC New Comedy Award finalist, came first, the unassuming comedian revealing his biting and self-deprecating wit, which had us in stitches. The perfect start.
He was closely followed by Becky Umbers, a multi-award winning comedian from New Zealand, now causing much hilarity over here, her squeaky voice the basis for the start of her set, as her bubbly, quirky persona won us over.
Catriona Dowden was more deadpan and geeky, but absolutely hilarious, her experience of vaginismus explicitly shared, leaving us unable to control our mirth.
Perhaps it was Adam Flood, who revealed the more subtle and risky nature of stand-up, his Northern bravado faltering in front of the Oxford crowd as he shifted his material around quickly to try to engage us more readily, reminding us of the immense nuances and difficulties involved in making people laugh. Not for the faint-hearted then, a fact that we all ingested as he fought to bring us round.
And as Alex clambered back on stage, reassessing the audience, he asked one of his favourite participants in the front, a businessman who’d sold his company and retired early, the best question – how many walls did his bed touch? Three for a student, less for the rest, but in this case none. He had us all in the palm of his hand.
In terms of comedy as an art form, Jericho Comedy‘s Saturday nights are the perfect introduction, not just for the laughs but as an insight into the craft itself. But on a more basic level, the double billing means you can grab a bite to eat or pop to the pub before or after, making it a top, all-round night out.
The secret’s already out of course, Jericho Comedy‘s Saturday night regulars returning time and time again to watch the new comedians on the circuit. Just be ready for the unexpected, as well as an evening of surprises, guaranteed laughter and some great banter.
To book Jericho Comedy’s Early or Late Saturday night shows go to https://jerichocomedy.com
