★★★★

“His mix of intellect, relatability, and nerdy charm makes for a brilliant night out”

Alex Kealy is a standout comedian who brings a clever mix of personal stories, political insights, and nerdy references into his act, all with a unique, self-aware charm. His comedy is full of sharp observations and honest moments that many in the audience can instantly relate to, turning everyday situations into laugh-out-loud experiences.

One of the most unexpected and delightful parts of his set is how often he draws comparisons to The Lord of the Rings. Whether he’s poking fun at the characters or using them as metaphors for modern life, these references are not only funny but surprisingly insightful. It adds a playful, geeky twist that makes his material stand out.

Kealy’s delivery is fast-paced and intelligent, and while he sometimes appears a little nervous on stage, it works in his favour, making him seem approachable and genuine. He interacts with the audience just enough to keep the energy high, without making anyone feel uncomfortable or put on the spot.

Already making a name for himself on the UK comedy circuit, Alex has supported big names like Jack Dee, Shaparak Khorsandi, Tom Rosenthal, and Kieran Hodgson. His writing talents have been featured on BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show, Catherine Bohart’s TL; DR, and Rhys James What Are You Talking About?. He’s also contributed to Mock The Week and The News Quiz, further proving his skill for smart, topical humour.

Alex Kealy is one of the UK’s most exciting rising talents in stand-up. His mix of intellect, relatability, and nerdy charm makes for a brilliant night out. If you get the chance to see him live, you absolutely should.

KIERAN HODGSON: VOICE OF AMERICA

Soho Theatre

★★★★★

“His timing is razor-sharp, his transitions effortless, and his control of tone masterful”

Kieran Hodgson delivers a bold, intelligent, and deeply authentic performance in Voices of America, a show that is as much about laughter as it is about longing. From the moment he steps onto the stage, microphone in hand and nothing else but his vivid energy, Hodgson takes the audience on a whirlwind journey through memory, pop culture, and political commentary. It’s a one-man show that feels like a full-cast production, because Kieran becomes the cast himself.

At its heart, this is a show about nostalgia, but not the kind that’s saccharine or rose-tinted. It’s the nostalgia of family car rides in the summer, the soundtracks of our childhoods, and the way Hollywood shaped our dreams of America. Hodgson conjures up those formative moments: the films we obsessed over, the music we blasted in our bedrooms, the accents we tried to mimic while dreaming of lives across the ocean.

But this isn’t just a sentimental look back, it’s a smart, witty dissection of the American mythos, especially as seen through British eyes. The America Hodgson presents is one of contradictions and disillusionment, a country that sells the dream of freedom and reinvention but doesn’t always live up to its own legend. His brilliant impersonations of American presidents – each one carefully observed and hilariously distinct – underline this point, portraying a nation constantly trying to define itself. Interestingly, there’s one president he deliberately omits, inviting the audience to fill in the blank and question why.

The fact that Kieran Hodgson is a three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee is no surprise. His timing is razor-sharp, his transitions effortless, and his control of tone masterful. With nothing but a mic, he builds a world onstage: part comedy gig, part confessional, part historical satire. He makes you laugh with references to pop culture absurdity, then suddenly pulls you into a deeper, more intimate memory, only to throw you back into fits of laughter again.

A standout moment is when he recalls landing two lines in the superhero movie The Flash – a story delivered with such self-deprecating charm that you find yourself thinking, “Oh come on, he’s perfect for that part!” Even if it was just as a sandwich boy, his retelling makes it feel like the role of a lifetime. That’s Hodgson’s gift, he finds emotional truth and comedic gold in the smallest, most personal details.

Voices of America is a love letter to what we thought America was, and a satire of what it turned out to be. But more than that, it’s a show about identity, voice, and growing up, both personally and politically. It’s funny, moving, biting, and brilliant.

If you ever doubted that a microphone and one man could carry an entire audience for 60 minutes without pause, Kieran Hodgson will prove you wrong.

ALEX KEALY: THE FEAR

Soho Theatre

★★★★

“His mix of intellect, relatability, and nerdy charm makes for a brilliant night out”

ALEX KEALY: THE FEAR

Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 26th June 2025

by Beatrice Morandi

Photography by Matt Stronge

Previously reviewed at this venue:

ALEX KEALY

ALEX KEALY

ALEX KEALY

KIERAN HODGSON: VOICE OF AMERICA

Soho Theatre

★★★★★

“His timing is razor-sharp, his transitions effortless, and his control of tone masterful”