At the beginning of his show, Alfie Brown asks the audience whether they believe in the concept of remorse. He uses the resounding yes to craft an offhanded joke, but it betrays the essence of his show. Because, if you were not aware, a long time ago Alfie Brown used the N-word while attempting to make a point about racism during a standup routine. He was “cancelled” for this. That’s a very vague, politically charged word, but the facts of the matter are that he lost tens of thousands of pounds through cancelled shows, he was partially doxed, and he struggles to find work to this day.
Not that he wasn’t offered work; he had plenty of opportunities to make up his losses and then some from right-wing talk shows and podcasts, but he decided to refuse them. What he truly wants to do is test and deconstruct the way remorse and repentance work within modern discourse. He offers heartfelt apologies and regret for his actions, but not without asking what the word “sorry” truly entails – do people simply want to hear the word enough times, or is an entire remorseful metamorphosis required?
It would be so easy for Brown to exclaim “woe is me”, and for his show to become one long pity parade, but he doesn’t. Brown offers strikingly intelligent dialogue on what it means for one’s own actions to destroy one’s way of life, and where that leaves him – especially after other tumultuous life events force him to reckon with who he is and what is truly important to him.
All this doesn’t sound like much fun, but that’s the genius of Brown’s show – he somehow takes subjects which could form the basis of the dreariest of sociology papers and applies a razor-sharp wit, creating moments of electric black humour. His questioning of what a “Poundland Russell Brand” would look like, quips about being the most empathetic man alive, and a diatribe denouncing “babyccinos” are among the numerous highlights. See Alfie Brown’s show, bask in his caustic gallows humour, engage with him on an almost philosophical level; applaud the triumph.
Alfie Brown: Open Hearted Human Enquiry, 23.35 Just the Tonic, until August 25
