Comedy / Reviews
Review: Jim Jefferies, Colston Hall
Jim Jefferies raised the roof at Colston Hall with his Freedumb tour show. Now, if anyone is holding out on watching his newest release on Netflix, or has tickets to see Jefferies’ upcoming shows and is worried about him repeating material, never fear. According to Jefferies, Netflix released his Freedumb special a month early which, in his words “fucked me a bit”.
As a result, this tour includes all-new jokes – but with the good old traditional themes that made Jefferies a household name, albeit a whispered one. Misogyny, rape, racism, religion and politics all return, and with Jefferies’ diabolically charming style and delivery, this show was delightfully fun.
Jefferies gained international recognition when he was attacked on stage, the video of which he incorporated in to his 2008 DVD contraband. He has also had his own television shows including the popular Legit which first aired in 2013.
There are many who’ll find Jefferies’ style of comedy empty, offensive, brutish and unintelligent. This would be a gross oversight. It is true that the easily offended should do their research before buying tickets: but to be offended by Jefferies is to miss the point. Complaints against Jefferies for his consistent jokes on misogyny led him to assure audiences that these were merely jokes and not his opinion earlier this year.
His routines on topics such as gun control, politics and religion, on the other hand, are where Jefferies is truly unique. He is angry and blunt and, rather than a cleverly thought-out routine for comic effect, it feels like listening to someone finally expressing the collective worldwide anger at inefficient worldwide governments, outdated laws and idiotic individuals. It is a huge relief, made even sweeter by the superb comedic delivery. Jefferies’ somewhat extreme style is no doubt a combination of his own personality and his despair at the common stupidity of the human race.
Jim Jefferies is crass and crude – but he is a wonderful breath of fresh air. And, in this current state of world affairs, we should all be thankful for that.
Jim Jefferies played Colston Hall on Tuesday, July 12. For more Colston Hall comedy lineups, visit www.colstonhall.org/whats-on/comedy
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