Live at Brighton Dome, Brighton Dome Comedy Festival
Saturday 26th October 2024
4 stars
Live at Brighton Dome was a comedy night that had the whole room buzzing. Host Rachel Fairburn kicked things off in style, rocking a glittering sequin jumpsuit and lighting up the stage with plenty of charm.
She had a knack for playful digs at the North-South divide, instantly warming up the crowd. Her banter was spot on and she kept the energy high, returning between acts to keep the laughs rolling.
The night opened with a surprise twist, Jam Tarts, a 60-piece choir, launched into a brilliantly unexpected rendition of Modern Toss’s Periodic Table of Swearing. It was a mix of classical singing and some very naughty language. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but the audience loved it.
Laura Smyth took the mic next, sharing her no-nonsense take on life in your 40s. Her set was full of laughs about parenting, marriage and menopause, topped off with a great moment where she swiftly dealt with a heckler.
Phil Kay, a musical comic from Scotland, brought a mix of oddball humour and improvised moments. His style was a bit hit or miss with the crowd, some enjoyed the quirky chaos, while others weren’t so sure.
Jamali Maddix then took over with sharp, fast-paced comedy and a lot of audience interaction, keeping everyone on their toes with his quick-witted remarks.
Headliner Sara Pascoe wrapped things up in her laid-back style, bouncing between topics with her usual charm. The star of BBC sitcom Out of Her Mind, her own stand-up special LadsLadsLads and host of Sewing Bee chatted about life as a new mum, weaving her signature blend of observational humour and playful tangents. It was the perfect close to a night of non-stop laughs.
