London-based comedian Jo Griffin took to the iconic comedy venue Soho Theatre on Saturday 12 October to bring her Edinburgh Fringe Festival show to the capital.
Entitled Last Chance Saloon, she focused on the matters of life, death and all the messy bits in between.
From sex parties to raves in Drumsheds, formerly known as an IKEA, Jo Griffin had a bit for everyone.
Jo took us on a journey through life’s woes, one of which is the generational war between millennials and Gen Z.
She insisted her generation paved the way to the club for Gen Zs, in their North Face puffa jackets.
Last Chance Saloon was not only a comedy performance but a show that made you reflect upon your own life and how much time you’ve spent in dodgy nightclubs surrounded by other young 20-year-olds, worried about whether they’re going to make it home safely down a dual carriageway in laced up heels.
Jo warmed up the crowd with an anecdote about the massage she’d just got in Covent Garden before starting the show, claiming, “Vulnerability is key.”
After we were told all about this hard-core massage, with the sugar-topped doughnuts at reception and the framed picture of Princess Diana in the waiting room.
Jo went straight in with a joke about her menstrual cycle as many female comedians do – however, not many female comedians then go on to tell you about their deceased great Nan’s menstrual cycle.
These dark but witty moments made Jo stand out and capture the attention of her audience.
In one instance, when making a bit about sex parties, she declared her ideal roleplay would be one of a palliative care nurse, to which there was a gasp and a roar of laughter from the crowd.
It was in these moments traumady (a portmanteau of trauma and comedy) was weaved throughout the comedian’s performance, to which the audience was receptive and came along on the ride.
Jo is a captivating storyteller who was prepared to take us on a journey through life’s woes, which became more and more relatable as the show continued – no subject was too dark or too niche.
Not many comedians can make you laugh while also making you question your own existence – but her disarming nature made you feel calm about life.
She reminded the audience in a light-hearted manner that “you can’t win the race because it’s the same end for us all” when referring to the hamster wheel of life.
Jo proved “vulnerability is strength” throughout her show, as we left feeling entertained and empowered, ready to hit up a nightclub in our North Face puffa jackets.
Watch out for this rising star – it’s almost certain we’ll be seeing more of her across the comedy circuit.
Featured image credit: Rebecca Need-Menear
Join the discussion
You put on a ‘cracking’ performer Jo at the Theatre. I and the rest of the audience adored it. Your performance was a breath of fresh air. More please.
Geoff Whittaker.