If you’ve ever felt inadequately qualified, socially awkward, or ever thought that you’d never be able to become involved in an elongated anecdote about a sport you know nothing about, then Miles Jupp’s ‘Fibber in the Heat’ is a stand-up performance to give you hope.

The show defied the conventional definition of ‘stand-up’, however, as it was more a beautifully crafted narrative of the attempts of a cricket fan to become a sports correspondent in the hope of being more intimately involved in the game. Jupp’s talent shone in his ability to create characters, scenes and repeating motifs, which resulted in the formation of a charming and humorous story rather than a cleverly structured set of jokes. The whole set was unimposing, as there was no pressure on the audience to laugh at certain moments, and he merely encouraged us to become involved in the tale. His construction of the world he wished us to enter was so skilled that deriving humour from it became a trivial task. His synthesis of various comedic techniques was so seamless that the concept of a ‘punch-line’ dissolved, allowing for the formation of an atmosphere of humour rather than an expectation for it to be produced at the end of a series of statements.

This calibre of story-telling was what lent to his set one of its greatest attributes. Even members of the audience who knew nothing about cricket, or the dynamics of the world of journalism, could follow his story and laugh with as much ease as those for whom there was added hilarity due to having a more detailed knowledge of his subject matter. The fluidity and clarity with which he delivered the piece signified his expertise as an actor and writer, not merely as a lover of sport or simply as an excellent social commentator. Through his simple but refreshing style he effortlessly engaged every audience member, and could introduce complexity into his performance without losing us as a result. As such, the quality of what he produced was high, and none of it was wasted.

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