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The UK's only deaf stand-up comedian

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Steve Day: Run, Deaf Boy, Run!
Live Review

Running a marathon is not the most immediately promising of subjects for a stand-up show. All those training hours spent pounding the streets alone is hardly conducive to the funnies, and blisters, dehydration and aching muscles are not exactly high on the list of comedy illnesses.

So it’s testament to Steve Day’s warmth and good humour that Run Deaf Boy Run is such a hugely entertaining, cheerfully uplifting treat of a show.

Day is profoundly deaf, not that that’s a huge obstacle to running, sweaty hearing aids aside. More of a problem was that he was an out-of-shape 47-year-old who lived on late-night Ginsters and was a total stranger to exercise. He only decided to do the race because of a misplace macho over-reaction to his doctor telling him to do a bit of mild exertion now and again.

But gradually he built up the distances, from a breathless few hundred metres until he was nearly race-ready… and that’s when he injured himself. It’s almost as if he realised any good story is going to need a second-act setback.

The running, though, is only part of the story. Day also confesses to human weaknesses both universal – getting into inexorable situations because of procrastination and fear of embarrassment – and unique to him – cheating at a sign language exam. Some of these emerge naturally from the narrative, but even those not directly related to the marathon are woven in seamlessly.

Day’s superb at letting the story unfold, with no fuss, just engaging likeability, occasionally flashing a price turn of phrase, such as his description of an overnight National Express coach trip to get to the marathon in time.

‘What a nice man,’ one punter was heard saying on leaving the show, and that’s perfectly true. The show probably doesn’t bear much more analysis than that, but it is nonetheless a thoroughly absorbing, feelgood hour.

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I saw Steve last week at the King's Head in Crouch End, London. The whole place was in stitches. Easy-going, engaging, and warm persona on stage. Naturally he's going to use his experiences of being deaf as a source of some of his material, but it's not what defines his act. A very funny guy - can't recommend enough.

Andrew Roberts, May 2009

Mild, gentle, self-effacing, Steve’s the nicest guy you’ll meet. And the funniest. Instead of assaulting us with obvious jokes, he settles down to a spot of banter and lets the laughter come out naturally. He doesn’t play on being deaf, he ironises people’s reactions; he rarely degenerates into smut either, so the one time he does it packs a punch. Even the obligatory four-letter words are used sparingly to inject an additional sense of fun. Overall, a truly great night from a truly great comedian. Can’t wait to hear more…

Michael Monkhouse, November 2007

Caught Steve in Rome and he's an absolute joy. Laid-back, confident, modest... Possibly the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet. One of the funniest too.

Michael Monkhouse, October 2007

Recently gigged with Steve in Andover. He got a restless crowd listening, with a great set.

Jan Jack, March 2007

Steve came to my college to participate in 'one world day' it's quite unbelievable how inspirational he is, left the crowds wanting more.

Kayley, October 2006

Excellent stuff, really enjoyed his set.

Barry Dodds, June 2006

Not very good, I saw him doing a short spot and whilst he got laughs they were mostly out of sympathy and I can't imagine he'd be any good doing a longer show.

Paul Davis, May 2006

Absolutely genius.

Simon Douglass, March 2005

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