Review: JAZZ EMU - YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE, Soho Theatre

Following a wealth of starry reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Jazz Emu brings his multimedia musical extravaganza You Shouldn’t Have to London’s celebrated hub of the best new comedy – Soho Theatre.

You may recognise Jazz Emu from his videos that went viral during the 2020 lockdowns, including ‘I think I’ve forgotten how to socialise’, which features in his current show. You Shouldn’t Have threads together new and old numbers with a loose plot line about Jazz redeeming his musical career after a goblin-related faux-pas on the stage of his biggest arena gig to date. Although delightfully madcap, the plot isn’t the main draw of this show. Rather, it is the musical talent and charisma of Archie Henderson (the man behind the funk marvel that is Jazz Emu) whom carries this show.

Jazz Emu is a brilliant creation, and fans of Henderson’s online content will be delighted to see the lore of this character developed in the most abstruse directions. Beyond his unique and absurdly funny brand of observational comedy, Henderson’s show is remarkable for its style. Jazz Emu performs and dresses as a relic of 70s disco funk and the blend of synths and bass is ridiculously catchy.

Henderson’s performance is slick and unfaltering – a true marvel given the staggering amount of tech he is grappling with, which is enough to give any stage manager an aneurysm!

Don’t expect to anticipate where this show is going at any point. For a night of unadulterated fun and a really good giggle, there’s no better place to hit up than Jazz Emu’s spot on Soho Theatre’s main stage.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Livvy Perrett

Jazz Emu: You Shouldn’t Have plays at Soho Theatre until 20 December, with tickets available here.