Based around the last 12 months of comedian Jeff Leach’s life, Boyfriend Experience looks at the journey Leach has undertaken to change his outlook, both generally and also specifically his treatment of and relationship with women.
The main problem that this show has is that the majority of the performance is simply Leach describing how he has changed from the lothario he used to be. It gives the show a feel of a mandated therapy session where Leach has to tell people his problems as opposed to a stand-up show. Too often he relied on a projection screen behind him to back up his points and flesh out his comedy.
However, it would be unfair to say that there weren’t funny moments in the show. It’s just that they came more from his interaction with the audience rather than on the strength of his own material. His actual stand-up routine was fairly safe with rap music and Republicans being among the targets of his barbs, neither of whom are new to being mocked.
Jeff Leach is clearly a funny guy; the issue is that for a stand-up show there is a worrying lack of comedy and an unfortunate abundance of failed punch lines and awkward moments.
