REVIEW
Armageddon Outta Here
Palace Theatre, Dixon Studio
on Thursday 28th May
at 7.30pm
Armageddon Outta Here
Palace Theatre, Dixon Studio
on Thursday 28th May
at 7.30pm
To start with, if you need any indication of what kind of a show you’ve let yourself in for here, make sure you get to your seat in good time to read what is possibly one of the best and funniest show programmes every published! A definite indicator of the comedic direction the rest of the evening is about to take.
Armageddon Outta Here is a sketch show of 7 brilliantly played out scenarios, with Tom Johnson and Rob Glenister taking on the roles of various whacky and quirky characters living out their last moments on earth, as an asteroid the size of Scotland plummets its way towards the planet.
Amongst a myriad of costumes, props and, perhaps not so nifty, scene changes the two performers take us on a wildly hilarious and chaotic journey over the course of an hour (ish), with each skit ramping up the comedy and ending in a climatically crazy finale that I guarantee, no one in the audience could ever have predicted.
Starting with monks atop a mountain waiting for a sign from the Lord, to astronauts who are debating whether who should be the last one left to save the earth, to the rich-listers who are waiting to board a rocket to Mars, there are obvious nods towards the anarchic humour of Rick Mayall and The Young Ones and a definite homage to Harry Enfield’s Tim Nice But Dim character in the form of Piers who meets old pal, Bummers, at the Mars Boarding Gate. There’s some cleverly worked comedy here and another nod to Mayall’s Alan B’Stard with the NHS waiting list shtick.
The pair work well together with Glenister providing the stability for Johnson's manic delivery; and even amongst the frenzied chaos of lost props, missed scene changes, wigs slipping and a whole ton of manic sweat - mostly from Johnson - you never really know what’s scripted and what has become unintentional improv. It's an exhileratingly exhausting watch. With great observational comedy interspersed with slapstick and gags galore, the fact that the laughs never stop it is testament to the comedic talents of both Johnson and Glenister who, along with co-writer and director Chris Roberts, have produced a show that will, I expect, be timelessly funny for months, I mean years, to come and will undeniably go down all nukes blazing at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The Nativity sketch where Johnson simultaneously plays Mary and the baby Jesus in what could possibly be regarded as genius and gross all at once, and the Last Gig Ever skit with a random violinist, were a perfect way to bring the show almost to a close and having being encouraged to shout out “bollocks” as a song response as Johnson chants, “I say bollocks, you say…..” you could perhaps argue that Armageddon Outta Here is actually THE bollocks!
With guaranteed laughs throughout, go see it if you can - they are heading to the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival this Sunday before they hit the Edinburgh Festival from 6th to 17th August
Dates listed here
Can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
Review: Kim Tobin
Armageddon Outta Here is a sketch show of 7 brilliantly played out scenarios, with Tom Johnson and Rob Glenister taking on the roles of various whacky and quirky characters living out their last moments on earth, as an asteroid the size of Scotland plummets its way towards the planet.
Amongst a myriad of costumes, props and, perhaps not so nifty, scene changes the two performers take us on a wildly hilarious and chaotic journey over the course of an hour (ish), with each skit ramping up the comedy and ending in a climatically crazy finale that I guarantee, no one in the audience could ever have predicted.
Starting with monks atop a mountain waiting for a sign from the Lord, to astronauts who are debating whether who should be the last one left to save the earth, to the rich-listers who are waiting to board a rocket to Mars, there are obvious nods towards the anarchic humour of Rick Mayall and The Young Ones and a definite homage to Harry Enfield’s Tim Nice But Dim character in the form of Piers who meets old pal, Bummers, at the Mars Boarding Gate. There’s some cleverly worked comedy here and another nod to Mayall’s Alan B’Stard with the NHS waiting list shtick.
The pair work well together with Glenister providing the stability for Johnson's manic delivery; and even amongst the frenzied chaos of lost props, missed scene changes, wigs slipping and a whole ton of manic sweat - mostly from Johnson - you never really know what’s scripted and what has become unintentional improv. It's an exhileratingly exhausting watch. With great observational comedy interspersed with slapstick and gags galore, the fact that the laughs never stop it is testament to the comedic talents of both Johnson and Glenister who, along with co-writer and director Chris Roberts, have produced a show that will, I expect, be timelessly funny for months, I mean years, to come and will undeniably go down all nukes blazing at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The Nativity sketch where Johnson simultaneously plays Mary and the baby Jesus in what could possibly be regarded as genius and gross all at once, and the Last Gig Ever skit with a random violinist, were a perfect way to bring the show almost to a close and having being encouraged to shout out “bollocks” as a song response as Johnson chants, “I say bollocks, you say…..” you could perhaps argue that Armageddon Outta Here is actually THE bollocks!
With guaranteed laughs throughout, go see it if you can - they are heading to the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival this Sunday before they hit the Edinburgh Festival from 6th to 17th August
Dates listed here
Can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
Review: Kim Tobin
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED COMEDY TEAM TO PLAY HOMECOMING SHOW IN SOUTHEND THIS MAY
Critically acclaimed Southend based actor-comedian, Tom Johnson, his co-writer Chris Roberts, and co-star Rob Glenister are set to play a homecoming show this 28th May, bringing Armageddon Outta Here to the Palace Theatre.
The show follows two astronauts, as an asteroid is hurtling toward Earth - but absolutely nothing is simple. ‘Ego, denial, faith, panic, and petty squabbles ripple through a world teetering on the edge, where the end is imminent and the absurdity never stops; it's the apocalypse we deserve,’ states Johnson.
Described as ‘dark, loud, childish, and gloriously anarchic,’ Armageddon Outta Here is also set to play the Main Stage of the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival on 31st May, followed by a two week run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this Summer.
Written by Tom Johnson, and Chris Roberts, and co-starring Rob Glenister, this new sketch comedy hour grew from their Short & Sweet award-winning ten minute piece Sacrifice, expanding into a full collection of surreal sketches surrounding regrettable incidents at the end of the world.
Praise for previous work:
‘Johnson is a comedic tour de force’ VOICE UK
‘A highlight of The Rik Mayall Comedy Festival’ SLAPMAG
‘Johnson showcases a masterclass in physical comedy and nuanced character work’ TheatreToSeeLondon
‘Johnson is someone we should be paying attention to’ Southern and London Times
Tom Johnson is a fast-rising actor, comedian and writer known for his frenetic, surreal and gloriously anarchic performance style. With a flair for the absurd and an instinct for controlled chaos, Johnson has quickly established himself as one of the most distinctive young voices working in British comedy theatre today. At just 25, he has reimagined and revived Verbal Diary, the now cult comedy musical originally written by John Otway and Paul Bradley, and first produced in its earliest incarnation by Rik Mayall, with Johnson’s version chosen by Chortle’s as one of their ‘Top 10 Recommended Theatre Shows for Comedy Fans.’ Blending high energy physical comedy with sharp writing and unexpected heart, Johnson’s work thrives on unpredictability, creating bold, inventive and thrilling work, with an unconventional presence in modern British theatre.
Rob Glenister is an Essex based improv comedian and musician Rob Glenister. Glenister is a regular participant in the 48 Hour Southend Improvathon, he is also a member of the improv group L.A.P.D. Improv and performs regularly across Southend and London.
Chris Roberts is an Essex based director and writer with a distinctive flair for blending horror and comedy. Drawn to the tension between the unsettling and the absurd, his work often balances dark themes with sharp wit and theatrical energy. His writing has been performed at a number of renowned genre festivals, including Horror-on-Sea Film Festival, where his work has found an enthusiastic audience among horror fans.
Armageddon Outta Here is performing at the Palace Theatre, Dixon Studio on Thursday 28th May at 7.30pm.
Tickets are available to purchase online from the Trafalgar Theatres website: palacetheatresouthend.co.uk or the venue box office, contactable on 0343 310 0030.
Instagram @armageddon_outta_here_show
@tomjohnsonactor
@chris_rob092
@wobwobrob
Critically acclaimed Southend based actor-comedian, Tom Johnson, his co-writer Chris Roberts, and co-star Rob Glenister are set to play a homecoming show this 28th May, bringing Armageddon Outta Here to the Palace Theatre.
The show follows two astronauts, as an asteroid is hurtling toward Earth - but absolutely nothing is simple. ‘Ego, denial, faith, panic, and petty squabbles ripple through a world teetering on the edge, where the end is imminent and the absurdity never stops; it's the apocalypse we deserve,’ states Johnson.
Described as ‘dark, loud, childish, and gloriously anarchic,’ Armageddon Outta Here is also set to play the Main Stage of the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival on 31st May, followed by a two week run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this Summer.
Written by Tom Johnson, and Chris Roberts, and co-starring Rob Glenister, this new sketch comedy hour grew from their Short & Sweet award-winning ten minute piece Sacrifice, expanding into a full collection of surreal sketches surrounding regrettable incidents at the end of the world.
Praise for previous work:
‘Johnson is a comedic tour de force’ VOICE UK
‘A highlight of The Rik Mayall Comedy Festival’ SLAPMAG
‘Johnson showcases a masterclass in physical comedy and nuanced character work’ TheatreToSeeLondon
‘Johnson is someone we should be paying attention to’ Southern and London Times
Tom Johnson is a fast-rising actor, comedian and writer known for his frenetic, surreal and gloriously anarchic performance style. With a flair for the absurd and an instinct for controlled chaos, Johnson has quickly established himself as one of the most distinctive young voices working in British comedy theatre today. At just 25, he has reimagined and revived Verbal Diary, the now cult comedy musical originally written by John Otway and Paul Bradley, and first produced in its earliest incarnation by Rik Mayall, with Johnson’s version chosen by Chortle’s as one of their ‘Top 10 Recommended Theatre Shows for Comedy Fans.’ Blending high energy physical comedy with sharp writing and unexpected heart, Johnson’s work thrives on unpredictability, creating bold, inventive and thrilling work, with an unconventional presence in modern British theatre.
Rob Glenister is an Essex based improv comedian and musician Rob Glenister. Glenister is a regular participant in the 48 Hour Southend Improvathon, he is also a member of the improv group L.A.P.D. Improv and performs regularly across Southend and London.
Chris Roberts is an Essex based director and writer with a distinctive flair for blending horror and comedy. Drawn to the tension between the unsettling and the absurd, his work often balances dark themes with sharp wit and theatrical energy. His writing has been performed at a number of renowned genre festivals, including Horror-on-Sea Film Festival, where his work has found an enthusiastic audience among horror fans.
Armageddon Outta Here is performing at the Palace Theatre, Dixon Studio on Thursday 28th May at 7.30pm.
Tickets are available to purchase online from the Trafalgar Theatres website: palacetheatresouthend.co.uk or the venue box office, contactable on 0343 310 0030.
Instagram @armageddon_outta_here_show
@tomjohnsonactor
@chris_rob092
@wobwobrob
