“No, you grow up” quips Rob Rouse halfway through his show immediately following a very lengthy recreation of releasing wind during a prostate examination. Rob Rouse does, indeed, have funny bones. A veteran of the comedy circuit, his career has skirted on the verge of mainstream. The occasional TV comedy panelist, he is more widely known for playing Bottom in Ben Elton’s Shakespearean BBC sitcom Upstart Crow opposite David Mitchell. His current tour, Funny Bones, sells out the cellar space of the Lawrence Batley Theatre with much of his audience repeat customers.
Rouse delivers a full-length show. His billed forty-five minutes per half easily surpasses sixty minutes as he struggles to fit in his written show around crowd work, meandering and tangents. A good five minutes early on is taken up by a song, lyrics projected behind him, that warns his audience of no refunds and to “lower their expectations.” It is a great opener that kicks off his show with ‘in yer face’ gusto.
An early register of the age demographic of the room clearly reveals Rouse is playing to ‘his’ crowd. As a 50+ comedian, he attracts a bell curve that mirrors his age except the one fourteen-year-old audience member. Both he and us are on safe ground. Much of his set centres around the problems age throws up. Laptop on table and projector behind, he ponders technology and video calls. At an age when, at school, he had the choice of computers or woodwork (and chose the latter), he feels he might have missed the boat somewhat of the technological boom. Further woes of the middle-aged man ensue including the uncomfortable reality of having a prostrate exam from a doctor who turned out to be Andy – the neighbour he plays five aside football with. His routine about whether to have a vasectomy strangely morphs into audience members throwing mini scotch eggs into a cone around his head akin to what a dog is forced to wear post-surgery. Rouse’s set is sprinkled with delights of pure silliness as well as great observation.
His second half is largely based around reading glasses and varifocal lenses. His crowd work trying to discover prescription strength becomes more an auction than comedy gig. Rouse’s years of circuit work means that he can deal with anything in the room with expert precision. He is a natural compere. His audience interaction is as good as his script. There is an enjoyable loose dynamic to Rouse’s performance style as improvisation is woven within routine. Always happy to chat, he is always warm and non-threatening.
The finale of Funny Bones is taken up with grotesque tales from his departed and beloved dog, Ron. Although humorous, it seems a little incongruous to the rest of his show which had processed the trials of ageing. Possibly a favourite routine from a previous tour, it lengthened the show just beyond its limit. A good show that could benefit from a little discipline in length.
Reviewed on 17th April 2026
The Reviews Hub Star Rating
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7
