It’s strike day in London, the third one in a week! The talking heads on the TV are advising people not to travel, the city is a shadow of it’s usual bustling self and by Monday we’ll all be hearing about how pubs, bars and clubs takings over the weekend were slashed by over 50%. It’s all doom, gloom and desp… actually, hang on!… Fuck that, Joe Lycett is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo and I’ve got tickets!

This very much seemed to be the feeling as we exited the tube station opposite the Hammersmith Apollo, London may have been quiet but this spot was heaving. Every seat was sold out, every bar had a queue and everyone was smiling. How did people from Birmingham even get here? Sod that, how did people from Richmond get here?

This is what Joe Lycett does, regardless of the situation, regardless of the venue he brings the technicolor to Kansas. We all know that we are about to get on a slightly flamboyant journey down the yellow brick road but we have all learnt the dance and we’re skipping on ahead.

My first experience of Joe Lycett was purely as a voice. I was skipping channels late one night wading through a sea of endless reality crap when I stumbled across Magaluf Weekender. Same old routine at first but after a minute or two I realised the joyous brutality with which our voiceover artist was knowingly destroying the harmless but naïve cast, and I was hooked – I actually think I watched about 3 seasons!

We then caught “That’s the way, ah ha, ah ha, Joe Lycett” at the Edinburgh Fringe and he was even better than we’d expected. This show has been a long time coming for us and we were not left disappointed.

So I’m guessing that you’re wondering why I’m still rambling and not actually telling you about the show, and that is because Joe asked us all not to and we respect that. What we can tell you is that this is one fantastic journey of a show. In terms of an undertaking I can only describe this as Mark-Thomas-at-his-best-esque (and I mean that as the highest of compliments).

But where as Mark Thomas charges after social and political injustice like a grizzly old knight on a raging stallion, Joe trots in on Applejack from My Little Pony! The causes and outcomes are just as important and worthwhile but the journey is a totally different experience.

This is a show that is fantastical, impressive and unbelievably funny, it’s exactly what great comedy should be. We won’t give away this clowns secrets, but please trust us when we say that this ticket is worth every penny.

Clown Stars: * * * * *

@Hammersmith Apollo, London