In his latest column, the Tameside Radio presenter reviews Times columnist Matt Chorley's new stand-up show 'Who Is In Charge Here?' which he watched at The Lowry in Salford.

It was tempting to write an opinion piece in this week’s paper about that slap at the Oscars, but it feels like every single hot take on that incident has already been aired by now. 

I will just say that my wife Sofia has lived with alopecia since childhood, and if an unfunny gag about GI Jane is considered suitable ‘comedy’ material in 2022, the Academy perhaps ought to reconsider their talent pool for next year’s ceremony.

Turning to a genuinely funny night of comedy, we paid our first visit to the Lowry in Salford on Sunday night to watch Matt Chorley’s show ‘Who Is In Charge Here?’

It’s tough enough sometimes for me writing this column a couple of days ahead of going to press, but my goodness, Matt’s had his work cut out keeping up with political events so far this year since first writing the show! 

We were treated to a Sunday night in Salford packed full of acerbic analysis on the state we’re in, and asking how on earth some of the current Cabinet ended up being in their jobs.

If you are not familiar with Mr Chorley, perhaps you are not a reader of the national newspaper he writes for each Saturday. 

I said to him in the bar afterwards I often doff my cap at how much he gets away with in it! The live show was very similar in style, and if shows like Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week appeal to you, this is definitely right up your street humour wise. 

Matt is also on a national radio station, but since his show starts at 10am whilst I’m still on Tameside Radio, I’ll let you look that one up.

How did Gavin Williamson end up being knighted?! Matt explored this vexing issue fairly early in the first half, and also spent a bit of time on Labour leader Keir Starmer’s perplexing breakfast choice at the Labour party conference - fish, fruit and cheese. 

I guess it avoids the risk of being caught midway through a mouthful of a delicious bacon butty with brown sauce like one of his predecessors, but it feels like either a panic selection made as the queue built up behind him, or else he lost his sense of taste and smell during one of his bouts of Covid-19.

Fans of Liz Truss, Priti Patel and Nadine Dorries were not left bereft, as we also took a look at some of their ‘highlights’. We were also reminded of some of the absurd excuses made by politicians, including the infamous Dominic Raab claim that ‘the sea was closed.’ 

I got a name-check early in the show, as I often listen to Matt’s excellent Redbox podcast in the bath or shower! My wife thinks ‘Prime Minister’s Questions Unpacked’ makes unusual bubble bath listening, but I beg to differ.

Towards the end of the second half (we certainly got great value for money, with two full 60 minute sets!), I was rather startled to be invited up on stage to play ‘Can You Get To No10’ which is ten general knowledge questions loosely themed around Cabinet jobs. 

With a little help from the audience on a couple of questions, I made it as far as Home Secretary, so I’ll be making sure we shred some of the red tape around helping Ukrainian refugees, and definitely won’t be sending any of them to be processed on disused ferries or volcanic islands.

Matt has a real eye for the absurd, and an easy-going, relaxed style. The suitcase of booze prop reminded us that Partygate was the hottest thing in the news when he started his tour, but of course it’s been thrown back into the spotlight, with 20 fixed penalty notices being issued and the promise of more to come. Remember ‘there was no party’ and ‘ambushed with cake’? A chocolate cake also made an appearance as a prop!

They say a week is a long time in politics, but you can tell how much time and effort went into this show, with tweaks added to keep up with events.

Matt’s closing words about cherishing the freedom to stand on stage and mock our masters were particularly prescient, I thought, given the level of news manipulation elsewhere in the world.

It’s also an absolute joy to be back in the theatre, and I thought the Lowry was a cracking venue with friendly staff, a lovely studio theatre, and sensible bar prices! Bravo, Matt. 

Thanks for a cracking evening, and some much-needed laughs in a scary world.

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 7am to 11am and on the 'Super Scoreboard' show on Saturdays from 3pm to 7pm, on Tameside Radio 103.6FM. 

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper