Words: Calum Baxter

4 stars 

There are various motivations for pursuing stand-up comedy. Daran “Jonno” Johnson views his decision to embark on this new path at the age of 38 as a form of exposure therapy for his anxiety. His previous collaborations, being a member of the influential sketch group Sheeps and serving as head writer on the popular Saturday Night Live UK, provide him with sufficient credentials for trying stand-up.

Although Here Comes Mr Funny encounters some initial challenges, it marks a promising beginning for Jonno’s solo career and offered some of the most memorable laughs at this fringe festival. It is particularly notable that Jonno, previously known for his ironic performances, opens up about his own experiences. He shares his nervousness and expresses envy while watching his peers on television, where he sometimes expects to see himself featured.

Some of the material is presented from what Jonno calls his “stool of sincerity,” which he claims to use when he wishes to speak candidly. However, the distinction between sincerity and performance can be ambiguous. One of the appealing aspects of his style is his playful nature as he often engages in improvisation that keeps the audience guessing. As Jonno builds his confidence in stand-up, this interplay between authenticity and performance could become even more pronounced.

Currently, his material draws from a variety of comedic influences, featuring banjo songs that fans of Sheeps may recognise, a solo enactment of a fictional new Lloyd Webber musical, and an improvised rap that humorously deviates from its intended path. A standout moment is his sequence on Bond themes, where he playfully leads the audience through musical twists before abruptly changing direction. This attempt to face his fears can be seen as a qualified success, leaving the hope that his therapist deems it an ongoing journey, encouraging Jonno to continue developing his stand-up skills.   

Jonno: Here Comes Mr Funny
Monkey Barrel
19:10
6-30 Aug