Chris McCausland
The most I’ve laughed in “yonks”!
Photo: Theatre Royal
Comedian and Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland had the Norwich Theatre Royal in fits of laughter. The BAFTA winning comedian performed to a sold out audience of all ages at the weekend on this leg of his tour. He kicked off his show “Yonks!” with a joke about how he has been in comedy for 22 years but now people know him best for dancing. The way he delivered the longer jokes was outstanding, with witty comments such as “you know it's a long joke when I’m not even following anymore”, and “stay with me it gets funny in a minute”. He also made jokes about Norwich itself, which I liked as it shows he has researched the area and made the show unique. While telling these jokes even he was chuckling to himself, which made me feel connected to him.
McCausland has the rare ability to make a large venue feel intimate, as many of his jokes felt almost conversational, like the type of story you would tell at the pub. My favourite part of the show was McCausland's “personal moment”, which he suggested was key in any stand up show. This was the perfect mix of serious and hilarious – he highlighted to the men in the audience the importance of getting their prostate checked sooner rather than later (along with an anecdote of when he did, which saw the audience crying with laughter). I think the script was perfectly tailored to the diverse audience McCausland knows he has.The jokes ranged from things from his childhood in the 80’s to AI and technology, so there were jokes for everyone.
The thing I liked most about his performance was his jokes about being blind, and the fact he can see the funny side of it. Even him talking about trying and failing to complete mundane every day tasks had the crowd in hysterics. Such jokes were drip fed throughout the show adding layers to the already sensational comedy. McCausland also mentioned his time on Strictly with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, and that he had done over 500 hours of training across 4 months. So now sitting on a stool and talking for 2 hours is a breeze.
Overall the show was sensational, with cleverly written jokes executed perfectly. McCausland is touring the UK until the end of May, and said he will be back in Norwich at the end of 2027.
More Comedy Reviews
Ray O'Leary - Laughter? I Hardly Know Her
Ray O'Leary, is fair to say, has a distinctive way about him. Wild, curly hair. Beer belly out and proud. A face only a mother could love. And that suit. It's a look that says he knows exactly what he’s doing and that he does it very well.
The Anglia Comedy All Stars
On another night, any one of the line-up could have reasonably headlined a comedy night — Ed Gamble, Rachel Parris, and Paul Sinha on the same bill felt almost like overkill. All Stars indeed.
12 Beans of Christmas - Adam Riches
What seemed clear from the outset was how much fun Adam Riches was having, and how effortlessly that good humour infected everything that went on.
Nick Helm
It says much for Helm's evident charm - almost in spite of himself - that a combination of meandering chat and show tunes worked at all, let alone proved thoroughly engaging.
John Cooper Clarke
His masterly command of the stage and his considerable charisma hides it well, but he has been trotting out the same gags, the same asides and - of course - the same poems for at least fifteen years. How big a problem that represents is largely down to the affection in which he is held.
Josie Long - Now Is The Time Of Monsters
Yes, there was prepared stuff about grinding her teeth, a throwaway reference to Charlie Kirk, and a criticism of the status quo (situation, not band) but nothing compared to the comedy gold of the UPS distribution centre in Tamworth.
Related Articles
Carousel - Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society
Another fabulous production from the entire team at Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society.
Phil Porter’s Blink
A Sneak Peak of the Play
Teaċ Daṁsa / Michael Keegan-Dolan - MÁM
Those that see this show will leave with a renewed sense of warmth and hope in their souls. It is a visceral tribute and testament to the music, the traditions and the culture of the people of the Kerry coastline
Dear England
This play about football was not really about football at all. It was a play about male bonding, humanity, mutual respect, facing your demons, and about meeting with triumph and disaster, and treating those two impostors just the same.
2:22 A Ghost Story
This is a ghost story, not a horror story, with an uneasy atmosphere of impending doom. The play is handsomely staged, with subtle but effective use of sound and lighting. Along the way we get red herrings, misdirection and tension-busting humour. Robins even lobs in class-conscious social commentary into the mix.
Tina : The Tina Turner Musical
‘Tina’ brought the life story and legacy of rock icon Tina Turner to the stage and it was simply, The Best.