A mixed hour from James Arthur, who definitely does do maths.
James Arthur is a mathematician with an eye on the bright lights of the stage. Former Oxford student, STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) communicator and now aspiring stand-up comedian.
This show feels more like a talk that happens to have some funny moments rather than a comedy show, which is how it was advertised. Arthur is a clear communicator and has demonstrable experience in his field. There’s several sections that feel like perfect content for the now sadly defunct (in Brighton at least) Nerd Nite, or the many other nights like it.
There’s almost a full gamut of geeks in the room, from physicians to mathematicians. Arthur’s off-the-cuff reflections on STEM hierarchy bring more laughs than much of the content he had pre-planned. There’s a familiarity in this discussion which resonates, even to those from outside this world. The host does have a tendency to assume that those watching must be from a STEM background, which divides the audience and makes things somewhat less accessible than they could be.
There’s humour in Arthur getting a little hot under the collar over elliptical curves, and female mathematicians of yesteryear. He discusses the horror of being a single teenage mathematician with character, but reassures the audience that those days are behind him with a smile to his girlfriend, who sits chuckling gleefully in the corner. A bit on cocktails also has the potential to evolve into something with a wider range of appeal. This contrasts with sections that feel a little dry and disjointed at times – not personal enough to be emotive, but not delightfully nerdy enough for anyone to really get their geek on. He briefly mentions his time at Oxford – it feels like there is a story of interest there, but perhaps not one he wishes to tell.
Calling this show comedy feels like a stretch, but Arthur has the voice and intelligence to engage audiences in other fields. He’d be great as a podcast host or doing maths talks with the addition of humour.
Reviewed on 24 May 2025.
