At The Laughter Lounger

April 2011

More Stewart Francis videos

A Canadian comedian, largely based in Britain, who has performed at international festivals in Montreal, Aspen, South Africa, Edinbugh, Glasgow and Befast – as well as those in his homeland.

His TV appearances include The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in the US and The Comedy Store and Live At Jongleurs in the UK.

He has also written for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Canada’s Gemini Awards.

Stewart Francis: Tour de Francis
Live Review
Brighton Dome

Canadian comic Stewart Francis is known for the quality of his one-liners – and is getting rather better known for them thanks to memorable recent appearances on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week.

So no surprises to find the tour that TV exposure has led to is simply an hour of gags. Scores, if not hundreds, of dumb, immature – and frequenty hilarious – one-liners. The unwavering tone of the night doesn’t make for much variety, but the quality of the writing ensures a sizeable collection of wonderfully quotable jokes.

Conversation isn’t something he does. When his radio mike picks up interference from Arthur Smith’s gig next door, it leaves him flummoxed, if unruffled. All he can do is plough into the material until a techie quickly arrives on stage with a replacement.

When he later repeats a gag, an occupational hazard with a fragmented set like his, he has another well-honed joke about the apparent slip that leaves the audience uncertain as to whether it was a mistake at all.

Sound problems asides, it’s an impeccably slick performance from a performer with a highly developed sense of timing. As for the material, it’s impossible to do justice to the jokes without repeating them, which would ruin the element of surprise that makes them so effective. That said, if you have seen him before, all the greatest hits are in this show, and it’s a joy to hear them again. His are not jokes that diminish in the retelling.

At his best, he plays with audience expectations of how a gag will pan out, abruptly switching direction or swerving to another punchline. The very finest have a delayed drop as the audience suddenly appreciate just how clever – in a stupid way – Francis has just been. Occasionally there’s even a smaller sub-joke to the main one, which is particularly impressive to achieve in two sentences.

Of course, with such a mass of gags, not all can live up to his brilliant best, but there’s strength in numbers, and you forgive a couple of more straightforward quips, knowing some precious gold will shortly be along shortly. Few hours pack in so many gags with such a high hit rate.

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Stewart Stewart is part of the trinity of one-liner comedians with Milton Jones and Tim Vine. Inverness audience are savvy to his brand of stand up comedy honed to perfection. Delivered in a quiet understated relaxed and professional manner. Made to look easy but has taken years of experience in paring the one liner down to the fewest words possible. Only disappointment of his set, over far too soon!

Douglas Thomson, July 2012

The compere at Swansea almost ruined the evening, but Stu was superb with loads of new material.

Geoff, July 2011

Saw Stewart at the Clowns Pocket comedy night in Swansea. Really glad someone has finally started getting some good acts in to the smaller clubs in the city. Problem is the support is poor. Simon Emmanuel was very poor, Mike Bubbins did the same act word for word as he had in the previous Clowns Pocket we went to and the compere (who I think runs the night) is appalling. He ruined the night to be honest. He argued with some middle aged chap in the crowd and wasn't funny. He then came back on after the 1st act and said to the chap, who was minding his own business, "You said your name was David, we would call you Dai in Wales.....and I wish you would". He had obviously thought this up during the 15 mins the 1st act was on and was determined to use it regardless of whether the chap was heckling or not. It cast a horrible mood over the room, the guy has no material and the joke wasn't funny. Very poo. That said, Stewart came on and showed his class. He had the room under complete control with talent and material. Won't return to the night though because the compere has ruined it both times.

James, June 2011

My favourite stand up on the circuit at the moment. The one-liners are some of the funniest I've ever heard and the sharp, dead-pan delivery gives each joke that bit of extra punch. His surreal humour is played out like scenes from a movie as his face comes alive, transforming from one expression to another. Highly recommended, 10/10.

Ben, November 2010

I have seen several "headline" comedians visiting the Comedy Store in London on a weekly basis. Stewart Francis is by far the best of the lot. The funniest comedian around at the minute. I saw him in Peterborough recently on the Tour De Francis and laughed so hard at times, I thought I was going to stop breathing! Highly recommended.

Darryl Purdy, November 2010

I went to see Tour De Francis TWICE - Once in Cambridge and then again in Norwich. This is one of the best touring shows I have seen - and I've seen a lot!. One liners, puns, and the odd silly noise. Top Stuff.

Linda, June 2010

Saw Stewart at the Dancehouse Theatre in Manchester on Friday night....all I can say is Wot A LEGEND...my face hurt from laughing for an hour solid, funniest thing Ive seen in a long long time...thanks Stewart for making my night sooooo funnny xxx

Kath Howard, April 2010, May 2010

I thought 'my wife' jokes were dead till I saw Stewart Francis.

Riera, March 2010

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4