Review: Jon Richardson: The Greatest Hits So Far – Tyne Theatre, Newcastle

Jon Richardson

Turning 30 was a milestone for Jon Richardson. Swindon was home for much of his 20s, where he’d sit alone in his flat with a packet of wet wipes…and clean the skirting boards night after night.  These days, he’s selling out gorgeous theatres, living with a couple of fellow comics in London; his disorder’s finally under control; and – guess what? – Jon wants to have children.

But don’t worry; Richardson’s still a miserable git at heart. Neurotic as ever, he opens tonight’s show in Newcastle by apologising that we’re not seeing Michael McIntyre – who’s playing the Arena just up the road. “Michael’s better than me – he’s great…” he wistfully confesses with no hint of irony in sight.

Richardson’s selling himself short again, of course, as tonight’s show is largely a joy. He’s chatty with the crowd, without engaging in too much conversation, and the material’s stitched together nicely given the lack of real structure to the show. His “turning 30” angle is just a hook that’s only revisited at the beginning and end of this ‘greatest hits’ affair; the rest is largely hate-mail for his flatmates who are too lazy to recycle cereal boxes. And that’s what we’re here for, really.

Richardson does come unstuck with a closing routine on ‘finding himself’ in a room full of hippies, but that falls flat because it’s just so out of character. Richardson’s not about feel-good comedy or happy endings.

He’s no Michael McIntyre, after all – but who’d have him any other way?

Date of live review: Sunday 11th November 2012