As part of the Roundhouse Comedy Festival, Sara Pascoe & Friends is a hand-selected mixed bill, hosted by Pascoe herself. The result is a very pleasant compilation show, with a varied line-up of professional-quality comedians carrying the audience through a long show that never gets boring.
Pascoe opens the night with crowd participation mainly about opinions on films, particularly The Odyssey, alongside getting drinks for the audience — when she asks for volunteers, a crowd of gals scream “wine”. In a huge Molly Goddard-esque pink dress, Pascoe dissects topics like movies and the internet in her own chaotic, scatterbrained style. Sometimes she can be a little hard to follow, with the combination of her unfocused style and fact-heavy deep dives. She is, however, a good compère, providing a relaxed atmosphere for the night.
First up is Michael Odewale. He has a punchline-dense set with a relatable undercurrent of laziness. His anecdotes cover swapping bodies with a white woman on the train, being invited to a protest he can’t be arsed to go to, and the awkward transition when his once-strict parents now want to be his friends. His delivery is somewhat by-the-numbers, despite the creativity displayed in his material. In a club environment, this is probably helpful; a little more theatre is required in the theatre. He’s good enough a writer to have more fun messing with the formula.
John Kearns is definitely a change of pace. Pascoe brings him on by saying that she loves the way his mind works. He comes on like a goblin, shaking his wig, which looks like a gigantic black scrunchie stretched across his bald head, like a bull swaying its horns. When he echoes “she loves the way my mind works,” his menacingly funny persona emerges instantly. Kearns doesn’t just talk about funny things; he is just funny to watch. He has an incredible instinct for comedic rhythm and really commits to being the clown. The actual observations he makes are also hilarious, and he brings them all to life with act-outs. He’s the only person to win both Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer and Best Comedy Show in its 40- year history, and you can see why. His act is interesting enough to stand completely alone.
After seeing Harriet Kemsley all over the TV, she is exactly as you would imagine: giggly, with a lot of material on sex. She has a great eye for those embarrassing moments in life, and how the desire to impress can result in some spectacular moments of shame. There are some brilliant parallels between toddlers and grown men, and her sauna joke is a highlight. Some of the topics feel a bit tired, including material on dating apps. She must see this criticism coming a mile off, but let’s face it, chlamydia is so cliché.
Finally, bombing in down and back from Edinburgh to be here tonight, Nina Conti comes on to warm and enthusiastic applause. Her act is so joyous and well-honed, you can’t help but love it. With the help of a dry-witted monkey puppet, she picks her participants for her famous false-mouth routine. Of course, there are a wealth of volunteers, but she really does take a lot of care selecting her final two. This time it’s a gardener and ex-pharmacist and a very elegant housewife. Conti’s routine manages to harness the joy in watching other people laugh. The woman is practically convulsing with laughter, and Conti’s high-pitched laughing over the top is impossible not to smile at.
This night shows the power of an excellent formula: fully rounded characters and an actual concept behind a set. In such a massive theatre, with high ceilings and a very mixed crowd, it’s definitely a test of comic skill, and the best moments come when comics curate an experience rather than just deliver material. However, the variety and quality tonight are top tier, with every comedian bringing something distinct and valuable.
Reviewed on 15 August 2026
Roundhouse Comedy Festival runs until 18 August 2026
