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Tories, royalists and bigots watch out, this one’s not for you. Jonathan Pie speaks the words on everyone’s minds.Summary
Rating
OK
Jonathan Pie: Heroes and Villains at the Duke of York’s Theatre offers an evening of political satire and comedic ranting, headlined by the infamous character Jonathan Pie, created by comedian Tom Walker. Pie, a fictional BBC journalist, known for his unfiltered tirades on social media, takes centre stage to deliver his unapologetic take on politics, society, and more.
The evening kicks off with a set from Egyptian-American comedian Maria Shehata, whose role seems to be warming up the audience for Pie. However, her short performance is swiftly followed by an unexpected 20-minute interval, disrupting the flow of the show — a puzzling choice for a West End production.
As Pie takes the stage, it’s evident that he is a skilled performer with boundless energy. He speaks the thoughts that are in everyone’s minds boldly and with reckless abandon. Yet, despite his charisma, the show quickly descends into what feels like an interminable rant. While the initial humour is engaging, the material quickly becomes repetitive and stale, and feels like Pie is recycling the same gags throughout the performance.
Towards the end, Pie delves into self-awareness, acknowledging his own hypocrisy as he criticises societal norms while indulging in them himself. This moment initially resonates but ultimately feels muddled and lacking in clarity, leaving the audience confused rather than enlightened.
One of the questions raised by the performance is the blurred line between Pie’s character and Walker’s personal beliefs. While Walker demonstrates a great talent for crafting well-formed jokes, the show could benefit from the input of a collaborator to inject fresh perspectives and diversify the content.
Additionally, the overwhelmingly white demographic of both the audience, and the performer’s perspective as a cis white man raises concerns about the lack of diversity in the show’s portrayal of societal issues – which should feel relatable to anyone. As a person of colour, this aspect felt particularly jarring and disconnected from the realities of contemporary society, and like the show had been written specifically for the audience it received. In a multicultural and diverse world, it’s crucial for artistic productions like Jonathan Pie: Heroes and Villains to reflect the richness and complexity of human experiences, and it didn’t feel like Walker’s character did very much of that.
Overall, Jonathan Pie: Heroes and Villains showcases the comedic talents of Tom Walker and offers moments of sharp wit and incisive commentary. However, the show is marred by pacing issues, repetitive content, and a lack of diversity, ultimately leaving much to be desired for those seeking a more nuanced exploration of political satire.
Written and Performed by: Tom Walker
Jonathan Pie: Heroes and Villains plays atDuke of York’s Theatre until Saturday 27 April 2024.
Further information and booking can be found here.
