Scotland

Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Home Truths – Monkey Barrel Comedy

This is a funny, relatable, current and well crafted show. Kiri Pritchard- McLean is a master of blending self-deprecating humour, near the mark jokes and honesty to take the audience on a side splitting journey. Right out of the gate she bounced off the energy from the audience with quick wit and funny comments.  Aside from the adept and confident comedy this Welsh comedian gave us an education.

This show felt like a breath of fresh air with some genuinely thought provoking moments. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in and talk about hard – hitting and uncomfortable topics, highlighting the fact that the venue had only employed white acts for the festival and   bringing white privilege and anti-racism to the forefront of people’s minds where it needs to be.

This show was all about understanding identity and what it means to her and her anecdotes were well told and hilarious, putting me in mind of being told a hysterical story by a good friend. She has a contagious personality that can be felt through her words and this piece felt truthful, frank and sincere. 

Kiri Pritchard-McLean has a knack for putting the audience at ease and even when taking the time to reach a little deeper with the subject matter she always managed to bring it back around with her exuberance, wit, slick timing and humour, without losing the message. She took some well timed jabs at topical subjects and playfully and proficiently walked the edge of dark humour. She clearly is very self aware in her comedy, and it always felt as though she was punching up with her jokes.

There were some great callbacks throughout the show. It’s plain to see this is a seasoned comedian with a command over the audience and a gift for storytelling. Home Truths is an intelligent, hilarious, engaging and well made piece of stand up comedy. Do yourself a favour and go see this show!

Playing until 28th August, further details and tickets can be found HERE.

Reviewer: Kat Clifford

Reviewed: 15th August 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★

Kat Clifford

Recent Posts

The Legend of Davie McKenzie – Traverse Theatre

From the duo who brought us Dancing Shoes at this venue before Christmas (and The…

14 hours ago

Opera North: Peter Grimes – The Lowry

In the week Timothée Chalamet made his ill-advised claim that “no one cares about ballet…

14 hours ago

Ancient Grease – The Vaults, London

Few venues could host something as gleefully ridiculous as ‘Ancient Grease’, but The Vaults proves…

2 days ago

Iron Fantasy – Soho Theatre

Do you feel strong? Harder? Better? Faster? Stronger? She Goat’s Iron Fantasy is putting in…

2 days ago

The Marriage of Figaro – The Lowry

Opera North’s 2026 production of The Marriage of Figaro proves that a thoughtful modernisation can…

2 days ago

The Grand Babylon Hotel – Hull Truck Theatre

London’s Savoy Hotel became a second home to the famous author Arnold Bennett, who, it…

2 days ago