Britain's got talent

From off-centre surrealism to outrageous smut, Kevin Fullerton digs into the list of superlative UK stand-ups hitting Adelaide this season

‘The British are coming’ was once a jocular reference to one nation’s heritage of conquering the living bejesus out of the globe. Now, as Britain staggers hither and thither in a post-Brexit haze, it’s more akin to what people say when they witness a slavering drunk relieve themselves on the weathered plexiglass of a disused bus shelter. As in, ‘the British are coming. Don’t look them in the eyes and, for the love of god, don’t give them any spare change.’

While the state of Blighty may make you want to inject every bulldog in the land with pentobarbital, those UK comedy acts heading to Adelaide are proof that our fine tradition of subversive and gut-busting comedy is still alive and well. Oddball extraordinaire Paul Foot (The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 13–19 March) has maintained a remarkably consistent career mining strange turns of phrase and whimsical observations. Expect shire horses, murderous Santa Clauses, and plenty of his trademark ‘disturbances’.

Offering something a mite more accessible is Sarah Millican (Thebarton Theatre, 20, 26 February) whose frank relatability has made her one of the biggest comics back home. She hits all the right notes to draw in a mainstream crowd, but maintains an endof-the-pier smuttiness to keep fans of edgier material happy. Next on the laughing block is John-LukeRoberts (Gluttony, 7–19 March) with A World Just Like Our Own, But . . . We gave this superlative hour of comedy five stars when it was performed in Edinburgh last year, calling it ‘light yet profound, not to mention packed with punchlines’.

Also no slouch in the gag department is Stephen K Amos (The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 3–12 March), a veteran of the standup scene whose show Before And Laughter finds him crafting erudite jokes from the decidedly unchucklesome events of the past few years. A loveable everyman of comedy, MarkWatson (The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 13–19 March) will explore the travails of being an immature middle-aged man. Watson always treads an impressive line between the approachable and hare-brained (a standup show that lasts 24 hours, anyone?), so expect plenty of shaggydog humour and oodles of invention.

Still flying high from his Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination last year, LarryDean (The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 14–19 March) is reprising Fudnut, a combination of juicy jokes and life lessons that mine topics of grief and loneliness. Dean is a jaunty and effervescent presence, able to conjure the atmosphere of a mate telling you filthy and embarrassing stories over a pint. Last on the long-haul flight is JojoSutherland (The Griffins, 17 February–18 March) with her latenight club-comic vibe, and a barrage of expletive-laden punchlines and rants against modern life. If you love your comedy blue, pay GrowingOldDisgracefully a visit.

For full listings details, go to list.co.uk/adelaide-festival