If you’re familiar with Josh Earl’s work you will recognise the Johnny Cash intro with which he opens his new show “Josh Earl is a Librarian”. This spot is typical of Josh’s work in that it operates on a level of a simple joke whilst simultaneously surfing an absurdist wave.
Although you could classify Josh as a musical comedian, his show is a mix of songs, banter and all sorts of bits in between. A pitfall for many musical comedians is that the ‘punchline’ can come up forty seconds into the song, only to be repeated for the remaining two or three minutes of the song. However through a combination of surrealism, reinvention, musicianship and sometimes, brevity Josh avoids this problem, making his musical work is some of the best in town.
This show is based of the theme of Josh being a librarian, which indeed he is. The theme provides a platform which becomes a launching place for some of Josh’s best material. But the theme is also endearingly woven throughout the show, capped by the wonderfully nerdy conclusion – The Dewy Decimal System song.
“Josh Earl is a Librarian” is a show that combines stylish storytelling with naïve absurdity. At times it can seem heavily scripted but the moment it does this feeling dissipates into a sense that this is all free form.
This is a show that will not alienate fans of the absurd. Likewise, fans of jokes will not be repelled. Josh Earl encompasses a place that is neither absurdist nor gag driven. What he does is occupy both those places, fluctuating seamlessly between the two. Josh has found the perfect mix of the two.
This is easily the funniest and most enduring show I’ve seen yet this festival. At one point in the show Josh knocked over a guitar and commented that he ‘needs a bigger stage’. I think he deserves one.
Josh Earl is a Librarian runs Tuesday to Sunday until the 28th April. For full booking details go to the Comedy Festival website