Caught Miles Jupp’s latest show “Miles Jupp Is The Chap You’re Thinking Of” in Colchester last night. Some of the subject matter might be a little familiar but his delivery, sharp observations and knowing self deprecation make the show a delight.
Jupp’s way with words is particularly individual – after a challenging and testing time attempting to assemble a child’s complicated pushchair, exasperation led to language that “would pink the cheeks of a longshoreman“. Delivered in his deadpan snobbish lilt, familiar topics about bringing up his four children, toddlers tantrums and nappy changing somehow feel fresh as a daisy. Even insubstantial issues such as his exasperation with undersized wheelie-bags (“carry it, it’s a bumbag on a stick“) are both vitriolic and very funny. The second half takes a surprisingly political turn with some excellent satire on the policies (“gift wrapped unpleasantness“) and platitudes of the current government. His take on the press obsession with whether politicians had ever eaten a Cornish pasty following the attempted introduction of VAT on hot food (“this generation’s poll tax“) is both keenly observed and hilarious. The second half could probably be tightened up a little bit though, didn’t flow quite as effortlessly as the first hour. Overall the eloquent, bumbling delivery and the wit and intelligence on display make the show a joy to see (and hear).