Words: Calum Baxter

4 stars 

Andrew’s mother warned him that death comes in threes. Sadly, her premonition came true with her own death, Andrew’s grandfather and Andrew’s friend and fellow comedian Gareth Richards. Faced with this immeasurable grief, Andrew has chosen to celebrate the lives and acknowledge the achievements of these three individuals in this poignant heartfelt hour.

Andrew’s mother was a lawyer – strong-willed, lively, but unable to deliver a punchline. White has adopted two of those three qualities, obsessively tackling minor issues like parking tickets with a fervent determination, while bringing a lovable cheekiness to his persuasive presentation.

Having worked as a musician in the army White’s grandfather plays a less prominent role in the show, yet he illustrates that the talent for performance runs in the family despite Andrew’s misgivings about the mawkish manner his grandfather ended his performances. 

Discussing Richards evokes a deeper emotional response, reflecting on the many years of opportunities that were denied to his friend at a time when he was discovering his true self in the happiest phase of his life. Nevertheless, White cannot resist playfully teasing him for his role as a musical comedian.

Although White tends to shy away from excessive sentimentality, emotions inevitably build towards the conclusion of the performance, yet every instance of sentiment is countered with humour. White’s exceptional talent lies in maintaining a balance between this duality, ensuring that neither the serious nor the light-hearted elements dominate. Rather, they complement each other, resulting in an hour filled with genuine, uplifting laughter that stems from a place of sincerity.

Andrew White: What a Life!
CabVol2 at Monkey Barrel
17.45
14-30 Aug