Playing at the Gilded Balloon Patter House until 31 August (not the 22nd), Support Group is a new stand-up comedy hour from Kwami Odoom and Jack Henry. I’m reviewing from a digital copy received with thanks from Kwami.
“Kwami Odoom and Jack Henry need help. Kwami is worried he’ll be a bad father; Jack can’t work out how to be gay, sane and sexy all at the same time. Two very different guys, two very different problems and not a single solution between them. They need some outside perspective. They need a support group. They need you. A sharp, honest and hilarious split-bill for anyone who’s ever thought that whatever it is they’re doing, they’re doing it wrong.”
Exploring the definition of masculinity in a light and positive way, Support Group is a split bill from two rising comedians who have very contrasting styles. Kwami – who I recently reviewed in the remarkable male stripper comedy Tender – is more of a chatty conversationalist, touching on his mixed-race heritage and how to be a good parent. Jack is more focused on his sexuality and his mental health, reserved but witty, sweet and left-field in his observations.
There’s honesty here, boundary-pushing, and comfort in who they are. It’s personal, observational, and accomplished work. For a debut partnership, it works well, but I would have liked to see Kwami and Jack working a bit more together throughout the show – might they be each other’s sounding board for the dilemmas that they raise?
Both are the types to command the narrative without being toxic, and don’t shy from the topics that might make some corners of society bristle. But they are more of the “talking at” the audience type than engaging in full interaction. It’s all very funny, but there is a lot more potential in Support Group than we currently have. An audience member on the stage, a flipchart with options, more repartee between comic and audience, would all fit the bill.
3.5 stars.
Kwami Odoom and Jack Henry: Support Group continues at Edinburgh Fringe until 31 Aug.
I reviewed from a recording provided by Kwami.