Rob Rouse Live at The Bloomsbury Theatre

Stand up

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Rob Rouse got his first break in comedy by winning the So You Think You're Funny? new act competition in 1998. As well as stand-up, he also performed as part of the Big And Daft trio with Ian Boldsworth and Jon Williams from 1997 to 2002, taking three shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2002 he took his first solo show to the Fringe, and returned the following year.

His TV credits include presenting the first series of The Friday Night Project on Channel 4, the C4 sketch show Spoons, and playing Mike in the first series of he BBC3 sitcom Grown Ups.

Rob Rouse: The Great Escape
Live Review

Sometimes accused of not living up to his full potential, Rob Rouse finally seems to have hit his stride with this joyous rollercoaster of a show.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFrom the starting point of moving his family to the Peak District to escape the cost and claustophobia of London, the former geography teacher spins a wild and totally enthralling yarn that harnesses his manic energy to great effect.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nRouse has a real talent for characterisation and by creating a one-man soap opera (think The Archers crossed with Shameless) gives himself plenty of opportunity to show off these skills. One moment he\'s an anthropomorphic Polish dog, the next he\'s a man known locally as Roadkill Bill.

\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn between, he manages to crowbar in some more generic segments about his wife\'s parking technique, the horrors of potty training and a riotous swipe at the TV news coverage of the volcanic ash chaos.

\r\n\r\n \r\nThe gurning and silly dancing is nicely balanced by a dry, sardonic humour; a gag likening geography to substance abuse just keeps running and a description of an embarrassing trip to the chemist threatens to send the audience into actual hysteria.

\r\n \r\nThe grand finale is slightly over-ambitious, attempting and not quite managing to emulate the sort of full-speed, multiple call-back crescendo of Rhod Gilbert\'s shows, but by this point we\'re laughing too hard to really nit-pick about such things.

\r\n \r\nIt\'s testament to the show\'s success that Rouse has got most of the audience up and dancing as he exits the stage - and it\'s one way of guaranteeing yourself a standing ovation. Brilliant, uplifting fun that shows just what Rouse can achieve when he sets his mind to it.

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What a great story teller, really enjoy his stuff.

James M, May 2011

I can't believe this guy gets stagetime. I've seen open spots with better material. Get out of the way.

Rory Smith, May 2011

"I was driving through Manchester with a dead body in the boot...." and he got funnier and funnier. Superb. Seen in The Crumblin' Cookie, Leicester. Casual style, natural comedian.

Nish, July 2010

Saw him at the Commercial, Chester on Tues night. Really good fun, and came across a a good guy. Really enjoyed his set!

Dai, July 2010

Saw his show in Runcorn last night. Both disgusting and strangely uplifting in equal measure but always hilarious. I cannot recommend him enough.

Callum, May 2010

I saw Rob at the De Montfort Hall in the preview show for The Leicester Comedy Festival. First of all, I was sitting way back and my glasses were furred up, so I couldn't see him very well. I said to my sister, "Is this Chris Evans?" He sounds EXACTLY like Chris Evans. He was the funniest comedian on the gig. His story about a baby called Keith was a hoot, and his piece on his dog had everyone in utter stitches. Best bloke on the bill!

Aly Evans, January 2010

Corry Shaw's review is spot on. A very likeable perfomer with some top quality material and energetic delivery, but even Mr Rotweiler found the dog thing a bit too drawn out.

Dave Rotweiler, October 2009

Every time I see his ambassador shorts come on the Paramount Comedy channel I die a little inside. Possibly the most embarrassingly unfunny thing I have ever seen. I hope the rest of his act is better.

James, September 2009

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