Tour review

Young, Gay And A Third Thing was an agent’s advice to Andrew White about how he should sell himself, reducing himself to clear classifications to be easily marketable and instantly identifiable… even if she was a terribly vague about what the third category should be. 

Not that the existing adjectives are all that helpful. Young both is subjective – he’s 25 but has an older soul (and hairline, as he admits with typical self-effacing wit) – and unsustainable. And is gay really a unique selling point in 2024? 

Nonetheless, the agent’s suggestion is a fruitful jumping-off point for a smartly put-together show that has its basis in pigeonholing and identity, which is (mostly)  delivered with the lightest of touches, while boasting impressively wide-ranging content.

White’s probably the only comedian doing material about the 9th Marquess of Queensbury, for example, in an interesting routine that sets up the history of the word ‘queer’ before assessing its reclamation by the LGBT+ community… as well as its rejection in some quarters.

The cheery and affable comic recognises that intersectionality exists, and that he’s privileged in so many ways – white, middle-class, privately educated, at least for a while – and being gay is not much of a struggle. However he does have his moments with a couple of ultra-conservative folk on Facebook and some Nazis lurking within the detectorist community, an aspect that wasn’t covered in the cosy Mackenzie Crook sitcom.

His boyfriend is introduced by his identity, too – half-Irish, half-Jamaican, growing up in a virulently homophobic Caribbean society, albeit one with great music. With a newfound love of reggae but a fear of cultural appropriation –  or worse – White entertainingly finds himself singing the dancehall lyrics as if they were from a show tune.

It’s a device he employs a bit more formulaically as the ‘only gay on the football terrace’ joining in the chants, but he still gives it a bit of a twist. While he’s a vision in sparkly jacket and glamorous pearls, he’s also at home in traditionally masculine places such as his beloved AFC Bournemouth. While he might mock the dull, straight middle-aged man obsessed by warplanes, it’s from a point of empathy, tacitly conceding  that he may be more like them than he’d care to admit.

White’s a compelling, personable, presence with plenty to say. He gets more serious as he talks about those in the queer community who reject trans people, wanting to say his piece without diluting it with jokes. But even this is not without its pretension-pricking asides.

To sweeten the other opinionated sections, he boasts a strong line in self-mockery and a plethora of memorable gags on everything from Russell Brand to why Beauty And The ​Beast is a pro-trans fable. And he has an argument-winning line to combat bigots who think being a drag queen is just a cover for sex offenders. 

More frivolously, there’s a silly recurring dick joke that’s deployed whenever the topic gets weighty, and always at the most unexpected moment, offering the greatest impact.

Given that it’s all about representation, White definitely gets himself seen as a relevant and witty comedian with this warm, appealing and purposeful show.

» Andrew White: Young, ​Gay And A Third Thing dates

Review date: 11 Nov 2024
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: The Bill Murray