You’re given permission to laugh from James but what he shares is really on the heavy side. Dommy abuse isn’t a laughing matter although there is some that he’s managed to weave into his story. I can appreciate he’s using his platform to share about an important and personal matter but if you want to have a nice relaxing evening after a stressful day maybe this isn’t the best way to unwind. I suppose trigger warning is the term needed as it’s about James four-year relationship that unfortunately turns into domestic abuse. Further to that, a trigger warning for his ‘German gay pissing party’ might be appropriate.
He prances into the stage, telling us how he has ‘fucked so many guys’, he’s not shy about sharing his sexual history, coming out tale and then the dark story he’s brave enough to share. This makes up most of his show, where he talks about meeting his ex-boyfriend at a Spice Girls concert, moving in together then the violence that follows. He does his best to make light of his experience and he is funny, and it is an important story to share but from an entertainment point of view where you expect to laugh it’s not ideal. Jokes mixed in about the Royal family are a hit and his crowd interaction regarding when his dog is mentioned is also funny.
After James tells us how he manages to escape the horrible situation he’s in; he gets into lighter and frankly much more enjoyable material. A very amusing anecdote about his run in with a dwarf and Piers Morgan ends in a very good punchline regarding his online haters. However, he ends the show by going into a very vivid (a testament to his good story telling in all fairness) about a gay orgy that is just a little bit too much.
James Barr: Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum), Buttercup at Underbelly, George Square, 20:15, Until 24 Aug
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/james-barr-sorry-i-hurt-your-son-said-my-ex-to-my-mum
