JOSIE LONG: Now Is the Time of Monsters

5 stars ~

Pleasance Queen Dome, Edinburgh Fringe ~

Josie Long is undoubtedly integral to the British comedy scene having won the BBC New ComedyAwards as an over-enthusiastic 6th former, and is now 43 as she reminded us a number of times.

She is always a delight and highly entertaining with her style having moved from schoolgirl whimsy to a maturity with strong political undertones delivered with positivity, cheeky panache and energy.

Despite Josie reminding us that we live “in these troubled times”, there is lots of laughter and fun with some of the teenage whimsy still intact, underlain by the theme of inevitable change. Josie is a masterful storyteller. We are absorbed and dance to her tune, proving that she is increasingly dominant in the new wave of alternative comedy, following in the footsteps of formidable Mark Thomas and the joyfully reinvented Rob/Robert Newman. She distracts us with mentions of dry January and art classes for sexually inactive women, while all the time expertly spinning us along our evolutionary trail - and yes, none of this makes any sense in the retelling.

This absorbing and highly entertaining show is a thought provoking exuberance.  Be prepared togo home grinning, eager to research those sloth tunnels.

Reviewed by RoxyReviews for One4Review on 8 August 2025