Veteran comedian Stephen K Amos brings his touring show Now We're Talking! to London's Leicester Square Theatre, delivering an evening of convivial good fun that keeps the laughter flowing steadily throughout its seventy-five-minute runtime.
Deconstructing the Science of Laughter
The performance opens with reflexive shtick as Amos reminds the audience repeatedly that "we're here to laugh." He delves into the mechanics of humour with routines questioning whether animals laugh and examining what laughter does to our brains, complete with references to amygdala and endorphins.
One particularly droll segment explores the Venn diagram connecting laughter, orgasms, and sneezes. This scientific approach to comedy demonstrates Amos's confidence that his material will consistently entertain, even if it doesn't break particularly new ground in standup innovation.
Scrolling Back to Youthful Memories
After establishing the laughter framework, Amos scrolls back to his childhood as the son of Nigerian immigrants navigating 1970s Britain. He vividly recalls casual racism, harsh parental discipline, and television with only three channels that imposed a night-time curfew.
The comic contrasts this with contemporary society where, as he observes, "everyone's dimwit opinions are freely broadcast." While protesting that he's "not saying it was better in the old days," Amos nevertheless implies nostalgia through his humorous recollections.
Bringing the 1970s Pungently to Life
Amos resurrects the 1970s through thumbnail sketches of home economics classes and unglamorous rubber-hose shower attachments. His routine about an African newcomer encountering a meat raffle relies on funny-accent humour but proves hard to resist through sheer comedic charm.
Another segment tackles the Dunning-Kruger effect, where the ignorant overestimate their intelligence, demonstrating Amos's ability to weave psychological concepts into accessible comedy.
Convivial Rather Than Groundbreaking
The show's hallmark remains convivial, consensual good fun rather than groundbreaking intimacy or novel thinking. Amos ventures orthodox opinions and relatable observations about changing times, social media, and what he perceives as dumbed-down modernity.
While the comedian claims this show represents a departure toward greater honesty, the performance stands out more for its comfortable familiarity than for revealing new personal depths. Given Amos's newfound interest in laughter science, his own show might well serve as an effective case study in what makes audiences respond positively to traditional standup fare.
The tour continues at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge on February 5th before visiting additional venues across the country.
