Review by Graeme Connelly

Joe Wells is annoyingly young and talented. He is a well-spoken lad of posh appearance who confesses to looking very much like a Tory – though it’s very quickly clear that he’s not.

Well aware that life is not fair, Wells sets about trying to right some of the wrongs that he encounters every day, mostly at the hands of the Coalition government. Don’t be fooled however, this show is much more than an hour of swearing at David Cameron... he expresses a dislike for most of the Cabinet. While going slightly off topic with talk about zombies and his visions of hell, there is always a link right back to politics and always with a clever gag to make the detour worthwhile.

He exudes confidence and a maturity that is well beyond his years. Emphatic and passionate, Wells believes in what he is saying and knows how to make it work and doesn’t mind shouting to get his point across.

Reading from his Che Guevara notebook that his mum bought him, Wells elates his audience as he berates the Daily Mail for its support of pre-war fascists. Yes, there is some of the expected stuff from the liberal leftie agenda, but it's nicely done. He never labours (no pun intended) any point, nor does he come across as smug or holier than thou. He just says it straight.

Blessed with a natural comic timing he waits patiently for the right moment to inflict the most damage with each line. For such a young man Wells has a remarkable gift of laying it down to the audience with confidence and integrity. As a satirist he did remarkably well to keep it fun, light and carefree while talking about serious issues. His rant on benefit cuts was rousing and plain spoken without being preachy.

This show is a genuine hidden treasure of the Fringe and Wells is much more than the usual fist-in-the-air outrage merchant. He intelligently builds gags up from the foundation and never deviates too far from his chosen path. Even poking fun at himself and not missing the irony of his posh manuka honey remedies for a sore throat he has gained from shouting about class injustice. Clever, insightful and funny, well structured jokes are set up and delivered intelligently and candidly. Top stuff.

Review date: 21 Aug 2014
Reviewed by: Graeme Connelly
Reviewed at: Viva Mexico