Brighton Centre, 28th February 2025
5 stars
Katherine Ryan took command of the Brighton Centre stage with her Battleaxe stand-up show, proving once again why she’s one of the sharpest voices in comedy. Unapologetic, fearless and wickedly funny, she delivered a night packed with brutal honesty, outrageous observations and just the right amount of mischief.
Straight away, she took aim at relationships and parenthood with her signature no-nonsense style. As a mother of three, she has plenty to say about the joys and absurdities of parenting. Her comparison of her husband’s five-hour golf trips to her own so-called ‘hobby’ of going to the toilet alone had the sold-out crowd in stitches.
One of the most talked-about moments of the night came when Katherine Ryan tackled the Russell Brand controversy. She didn’t skirt around the issue; she went straight for it, delivering a segment that was scathing, hilarious and insightful.
It’s in these moments of raw, unfiltered truth that Ryan is at her most commanding. Whatever the subject matter, she still managed to keep the laughs coming.
The second half of the show saw Ryan engaging with the audience, reading out text messages submitted during the interval. From relationship dilemmas to financial debates over whether a man should prioritise his mother or his partner, her responses were as cutting as they were hilarious. Her ability to turn everyday drama into comedy gold was on full display and the audience lapped up every word.
From relationships to current affairs, feminism to the trials of parenting, Katherine Ryan delivered a masterclass in comedy. Battleaxe is a sharp, biting and effortlessly hilarious show and exactly what you’d expect from one of the best in the business.
