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Jonny and the Baptists: The End Is Nigh

 
James W. Woe Review by James W. Woe 4 Published: 12 Aug 2015 Roundabout @ Summerhall Show Dates: 7 Aug 2015-30 Aug 2015

Johnny has accidentally told his niece that he can single-handedly stop climate change and so he embarks on a musical adventure with his bandmate Paddy to save the world. Do they succeed? No, but they provide an hour of hard laughs and catchy tunes to make up for it.

The word might be falling apart but at least Johnny and the Baptist are making the end a little more enjoyable.

The Roundabout would seem like an odd venue for a musical comedy duo, it’s a circle with 360 degree seating, meaning at any given point they have their back turned to a section of the audience. But they use the space masterfully, they are almost constantly moving, adding real energy and flow to the show.

Johnny and the Baptists set themselves apart from other comedy singer/song writers by writing infuriatingly catchy tunes and by being genuinely good singers; a rare treat when almost every stand up has a guitar these days.

The central theme of climate change provides a rich vein of material as they lampoon deniers, the press and the left in equal measures. If you really do believe that climate change is not an issue, this isn’t for you, and you’ll be asked to leave in the format of song; possibly the most undignified way to be forced out of a venue.

If you want satire that’s thoughtful and silly, that’s funny and tear jerking and utterly brilliant buy a ticket now. The word might be falling apart but at least Johnny and the Baptist are making the end a little more enjoyable.

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The Blurb:

Last year, Jonny accidentally told his four-year-old niece that climate change would end the world. To stop her crying, he and Paddy promised to fix it. They really tried very hard… A new show from the multi award-nominated stars of Radio 4’s Now Show and Infinite Monkey Cage. ‘Politically engaged ... raucously silly’ (Guardian). ‘Riotous rock’n’ROFLing’ (Independent). ‘The political edge of 80s alternative comedy … a pop-soul voice to win X Factor’ (Stewart Lee, Observer). ‘A triumph … if you’re looking for a fun time, the Baptists will deliver’ **** (Chortle.co.uk).