Review: Josh Glanc: Family Man

Part of Glanc’s skill is to gently tease the fundamental format of a stand-up gig without becoming archly metatheatrical. He introduces himself in typically bombastic underground comedy club style before launching into a musical number about how he met his wife. We get his characteristically fluid role-playing, including a gruff American accent and physical humour. There’s a smattering of audience interaction. It rolls with ease and the laughs are strong.

But then he ‘fluffs’ a joke and everything starts again. And not for the last time. The sketches become refrains reframed: differently ludicrous each time. This twisting and layering becomes a joke in its own right, dancing on the border of repetitious as we become co-conspirators. It works because Glanc plays it straight – well, as straight as his ambidextrously accented act allows. 

The humour isn’t rapid-fire. Glanc takes his time. He knows – with good reason – that his observational comedy has us from the start. And the next start.