Jonathan Rudge walks into a room built for an audience many times larger than the two people sitting in it. It could be an awkward start, but Rudge quickly turns the unusual intimacy to his advantage, delivering a bubbly, confident set with an inviting attitude that commands the room well.
His comedy draws heavily from his life in London: dating as a gay man, navigating Grindr, travelling with friends and the increasingly strange rituals of saying hello and goodbye to one another. At 41, Rudge is rather interested in comparing his experiences with those of Gen Z, finding humour in the gap between his generation and the one coming up behind him. One of the strongest sections centres on his relationship with his father and the large London house they share. Rudge jokingly casts himself as Batman, with the house resembling Arkham and his father taking on the role of Alfred, the butler.
Rudge also reflects on his years working in television, dropping hints about some rather recognisable celebrities he has crossed paths with. I won’t name names, partly because I suspect he would prefer that I not, and partly because discovering who they are is half the fun. You’ll have to watch the show to find out. Rudge’s greatest strength is his stage presence. He remains energetic and completely committed despite the audience being small enough to qualify as a private booking.
Jonathan Rudge: Stay at Home Son, 20:35 at Just the Snifter Room at Just the Tonic at The Mash House at 3:35 pm from August 6-30
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jonathan-rudge-stay-at-home-son
