If you want to feel less like you’re in the heart of Soho and more as if you’ve stepped into a New York comedy club, Laurie Kilmartin’s stand-up show is well worth seeing this week.
The comedian, who writes for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, brings a distinctly US style of stand-up to the Soho stage, delivering a 60-minute set packed with one-liners, self-deprecation and plenty of innuendo. It’s an hour that quickly flies by, with laughs from start to finish.
A lot of Kilmartin’s material draws on American politics, culture and current affairs. References to names such as Erika Kirk, Luigi Mangione, and Anthony Fauci are made throughout the performance. If you don’t spend much time following US news and culture, a few of the jokes may fly over your head, but it never takes away from the overall performance. Even when some references don’t land with everyone in the crowd, her delivery and timing are strong enough to keep the audience engaged.
What makes this comedy show particularly impressive is how naturally Kilmartin bridges the gap between British and American comedy. The two styles are often considered to be completely different, with British audiences leaning towards dry wit and Americans favouring more eccentric storytelling. Kilmartin effortlessly blends the two, allowing the audience to enjoy the best of both.
The Soho Theatre is the perfect venue for this show. Rather than feeling like a big theatre performance, it has the energy of a late-night comedy club. It’s relaxed, unpretentious and the perfect place to enjoy an hour of good comedy.
So, whether you’re looking for something to kick off an evening in Soho or fancy a laugh before heading for dinner or a drink at the Soho Theatre bar, Laurie Kilmartin: The Non-Refundable Plane Tickets Tour is a charming watch.
Runs until 28 June 2026
