You’ve got to be a confident person to get up on stage and retell your relationship with you ex for 45 minutes, each night, for 3 weeks.
Whether or not Ali Woods is ok (he assures the audience he is), it makes for a very entertaining evening that will make you laugh, blush and potentially cry (I’m English, so I blushed and didn’t cry… obviously).
Unparalleled in his story-telling ability, he expertly weaves together stories from his teenage years through to the present day, creative a cohesive tapestry of humour and humanity, Woods is vulnerable and amusing in equal parts. From his experience of delayed puberty to emotional, to the existential dread that comes from corporate office work, nothing is off the table to Woods – including performing a spot-lit monologue to his ex-girlfriend. The result is deeply personal and tragically funny. A therapist would have a field day.
Filling the stage with his energy, Woods is vivid performer. A laddish air to his humour, many of the stories would have been at home at a uni pres (including an Andrew Tate reference and a North London accent) – only this isn’t your insufferable Pollock friend trying to be funny, but a genuinely sincere comic in his element. This is who all those DJ-ing econ boys think they are.
His third year at the fringe, Woods is a tried-and-tested performer who brings authenticity and sincerity to the stage. After selling-out his run, more dates have been added and this is a must for those who enjoy self-deprecating stand up. Hinted at being his last run at the festival for a while, he’ll be a missed presence.
Ali Woods: At The Moment is on in Underbelly Briso Square, Jersey, at varying times until 25 August.
Buy tickets here.
Image by Zlata Kontseva provided by Underbelly Press Office
