Jordan Brookes' "The Part of You That’s Always Screaming" Reviewed

Jordan Brookes' latest Edinburgh Fringe show, "The Part of You That’s Always Screaming," presented at the Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh, offers a spiky and interrogative performance that, while deeply thoughtful, deviates from his usual boundary-pushing style. Brookes, the recipient of the 2019 comedy award, has consistently challenged the conventions of stand-up comedy, making his new show an event anticipated for its innovative form. However, "The Part of You That’s Always Screaming" is described as lacking the extreme ambition characteristic of his previous work, with a more conventional delivery and less radical exploration of comedic limits.

Despite this relative assessment, the show still contains moments of Brookes' signature intensity. In one instance, the comedian dramatically lowers the lights and introduces a disturbing industrial soundscape, moving menacingly across the stage. This theatricality serves Brookes' central theme: the complex relationship between selfhood and the act of being observed. The performance is structured around a seemingly mundane train journey where Brookes' act of eating a croissant becomes a performative gesture, amplified by his awkward positioning between a window and a fellow passenger engrossed in the view outside. This narrative choice underscores the show's exploration of how public perception and self-awareness intersect.

The show's engagement with the theme of performance and observation is a key element. Brookes, known for his high standards in comedy, uses this set to examine how individuals alter their behavior when aware of an audience. The train incident, where a simple act of eating becomes a focal point of self-consciousness, illustrates this point effectively. The review notes that while the show is still a significant piece of work, it represents a more restrained approach compared to Brookes' prior performances, which often pushed the boundaries of what stand-up comedy could achieve. The Pleasance Dome venue in Edinburgh hosts the show until August 30th, marking another engagement for the comedian at the renowned festival.

Brookes' career trajectory includes winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2019, establishing him as a significant figure in contemporary comedy. His previous shows have been lauded for their experimental nature and intellectual depth, setting a high bar for his subsequent productions. "The Part of You That’s Always Screaming" continues to explore these deeper themes, albeit with a more accessible presentation. The review suggests that while the show may not reach the experimental heights of his past work, it remains a compelling and thought-provoking hour of comedy, offering a nuanced perspective on identity and performance within the context of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.