“I am Doctor Samuel Johnson. You are not.” So Simon Munnery’s self-important Doctor Johnson introduces himself in this marvellous hour of satire, music and banter, staged as writer Stewart Lee explains, at the Traverse, when “it’s too late to put in another set”.
The main burden of the piece rests on the shoulders of Miles Jupp as James Boswell, who warms the audience up before Johnson arrives, and keeps the action rolling along. In full Bonnie Prince Charlie regalia, he intersperses his enthusiastic enumeration of his mentor’s wit and good qualities with snappy topical material and plenty of inside jokes for the Edinburgh crowd. Jupp is tremendously likeable, and works well both on his own and with Munnery.
The two-handed portion of the piece gets going with Johnson’s many sharp witticisms at the expense of the Scots, which provoke gales of laughter from the audience. Boswell begins by enjoying his idol’s comments, but his increasing frustration with the aspersions cast on his homeland lead to some of the funniest lines of the night. Munnery is perfect as the acerbic wordsmith, wringing the most out of the clever script and challenging anyone to disagree with him.
Stewart Lee has really surpassed himself with Johnson and Boswell, displaying the wry intelligence that has always been the hallmark of his stand-up routines. This thoroughly enjoyable work really demonstrates how to get it right when comedians start acting. Buy your tickets now!
Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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John Robins, Comedian
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Idrie, Youtube
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter