Original Review:

Whit the demonic pun of his name and his all-black attire, Lou Saffire certainly looks the part. Plus he has the confident swagger and the barely-tamed anger of so many great comedy forebears.

So it came as no surprise that when he purposefully cadged a cigaratte from the front row, a heckler shouts: Bill Hicks, - the inspiration is that obvious.

But while Hicks raged against the iniquities of world politics and the hopelessness of the human condition, Saffire's concerns are closer to home... trains stopping inexplicably, for example. But not only are the topics more mundane, Saffire too often lacks the insight that might contribute to a killer punchline, leaving the observation as just that, nothing more.

Many topics will be familiar - most notably an extended routine about Star Wars, which combines this most hackneyed of subjects with other well-used touchstones, multiplying the unoriginality: What if Sean Connery had been cast in the film? What about Star Wars crossed with porn. Cloddingly predictable, it is - even though the porn routine does culminate in a great gag.

Not everything is so trite, a routine about why he was dumped is enjoyable - if a little contrived and crude - as are other moments.

It's all delivered impeccably and with supreme confidence, going down well, if not fantastically.

It cannot be long before this solid act is a regular on the no-risks-taken Jongleurs circuit, but it's a shame such a relative newcomer - and one with such obvious performance talents - is happy with such a derivative approach.

I have seen Lou perform for several years and he has never failed to make me laugh. Lou has great talent and confidence when on stage and always delivers an enjoyable act wether he is an opening act, introducing comedians or performing a whole night's entertainment himself.

Little Matt, October 2006

Lou is a funny fella indeed. Great energy and different material. A joy to watch always

Jason Cairns, March 2006

I think Lou is an absolutely fantastic stand up comedian and in the many appearances I've made to his gigs he has always kept me laughing. I think it is only a matter of time until he makes it on the big circuit and Lou Saffire will become a household name such as Bill Hicks.

Browny, March 2004

I've seen him a few times and I think he seems pretty bored with his routine. I've not noticed the confidence Chortle talks about. Hope he gets better cos you can see he has potential.

Rob, December 2003

His energy and presence made a real connection with the crowd. And he has some great lines as well.

Sarah, December 2003

Having seen Lou perform umpteen times, I can honestly say he has never failed to entertain me and leave me with a smile on my face. If people are going to insist on branding all observation comics who present their material with passion and maybe a smigin of bile as being unorigional then I think they need to examine there criteria for judgement.

Bobbie, July 2003

As usual, you have to be doing something inspirationationally different and challenging to warrant a compliment from Chortle. Don't listen. Lou is a great booking who isn't particularly inventive, but, he makes people laugh. Something that can be a lost art with todays "risk takers".

Lee Martin, July 2003