The Voice of America is what British comic Kieran Hodgson promises it to be – tough, given the circumstances. But with his dexterous weaving of anecdotes, excellent impersonations, and genuine storytelling, it’s an excellent evening of comedy, even if it doesn’t quite rehabilitate the USA’s troubled image.
Suggesting Hodgson’s main comedic success is one globally viral video (made up of some cracking impressions of The Crown season 4) is a very humble appraisal of what is actually a celebrated and successful comedy career. But this is where our story starts, with Hodgson able to land an American agent off this viral fame. It leads to the star-studded set of the DC superhero film and box office catastrophe The Flash, in which Hodgson lands the enviable role of Sandwich Man.
It’s here where Hodgson relays his waxing and waning relationship with America – his love for the country, its culture, media, and its ethos, which Hodgson finds is in constant battle with the country’s actions and presidents, as well as his socialist Europhile parents who think most of its exports amount to ‘American rubbish’.
On the set of The Flash, Kieran’s reliable party trick of impressions is undercut by the lack of faith in his American accent. It’s a symbol of his own building disenchantment with a culture he idolised so much – ‘what happened, man?’.
Through his stories of growing up in the 90s as the intellectual son of two teachers, there are some wonderful punchlines and recurring jokes which show Hodgson to be utterly at ease. He covers everything from politics to a trip to the opera at New York’s Met, to the playlists on family car rides, and more. There’s no messy crowd work, and it’s so well constructed that the audience is able to really resonate with this comic who perfects the classic self-deprecating British humour whilst simultaneously feeling relief at knowing each line is likely going to land. It’s an impressive performance and an easy watch for the audience throughout.
The standout laughs come from the impressions, Hodgson confessing to being the ‘impressions guy’ (his own words) – but luckily, it never becomes tiring. Not just because of the talent behind them, but the fact that they’re beautifully interwoven in the story, and shrouded with intellect.
We go from Keir Starmer’s nasal voice to Margaret Thatcher at a 4-year-old’s birthday party, to poignant recounts of JFK’s best speeches. Hodgson embodies the American films he idolised like Independence Day and Home Alone, and gleefully recounts Bush-isms (the silly things George Bush mumbled in press conferences) – just a few of the excellent impressions interwoven into the set. Via impressions and pop-culture references, Hodgson takes us on a quest for the perfect American accent, and the very voice of America, too, as he bounces through decades of discontent and his disappointment.
The resulting conclusion is funny and undercut with poignancy as the Donald Trump impression Hodgson has been dancing around produces the laughs, and also a bittersweet assessment of the world as it is.
It’s not just funny voices that have landed Hodgson on the Telegraph’s ‘50 Funniest Comedians of the 21st Century’ list. It’s clear Hodgson has a story to tell, and no doubt the continuing run at Edinburgh Fringe 2025 will allow people to come and listen and marvel at this clever comic.
Runs until 28 June 2025
The Reviews Hub Score
Dextrous weaving of anecdotes
