A HILARIOUS, HEARTFELT ROMP THROUGH LIFE AND LAUGHTER

By Emma Carney | Bunny Pudding · Digital Coven · @bunnyscopes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

I was 10 years old when I first saw Jenny Eclair on channel 4. I was staying in my sister’s room as she was at a sleepover, so I got the joy of getting to sit in her bed and watch TV without the parents… so naturally I put on Channel 4 comedy and waited for Eurotrash to come on. It’s a core memory. A beautiful woman with a blonde beehive and a bright red lipstick sharing stories about womanhood (of which I was very curious), swearing like a fish wife and talking about, gasp, sex. Oooh, how excited I was to grow up after watching her and when I did, I promised myself that I’d have a beehive and wear red lip stick…. A promise which I did, in fact,keep… but that’s a story for my book darlings, as todays we’re reviewing the show billed as Eclair’s book tour. 

Jokes, Jokes, Jokes is a whirlwind tour through Eclair’s riotous life, packed with razor-sharp wit, unfiltered honesty, and a relentless energy that keeps the audience hooked from start to finish. This isn’t just a book tour mixed with stand-up—it’s storytelling at its most engaging, a masterclass in how to turn life’s chaos into comedy gold. While the show occasionally feels like it’s racing through anecdotes a little too quickly, the sheer charisma and warmth Jenny Eclair brings to the stage make it an absolute joy to watch.

From the moment she strides on, this time in Crocs, rather than high heels, Eclair owns the room with the confidence of a performer who’s spent decades honing her craft. Her self-deprecating humor is a highlight—she jokes about her age, her body, and the absurdities of modern life with a wit so sharp it could slice through steel. Describing herself as a “walking bag of cellulite” might sound harsh, but in Eclair’s hands, it’s just another punchline in a show that refuses to take itself too seriously. 

The first half is a rapid-fire trip through her rebellious youth, her early days in comedy, and the hedonistic ’90s circuit, where she carved out a space as a fearless, ballsy performer who refused to be overshadowed by her male counterparts. Her recollections of punk poetry and early drama school days are laugh-out-loud funny, delivered with the kind of cheeky charm that makes you feel like you’re sharing a drink with an old friend. 

Where the show really shines, though, is in its balance of humor and heart. Jenny Eclair doesn’t shy away from the tougher moments—her parents’ health struggles, her battles with anorexia, the pressures of staying relevant in comedy—but she never lingers long enough to let the mood dip. Instead, she swerves back into jokes with the precision of a seasoned pro, ensuring the laughter never stops for too long. 

The second half does feel a little more like a career retrospective at times, with mentions of Grumpy Old Women, I’m a Celebrity…, and her novels flying by in quick succession. But even here, Eclair’s sheer work ethic and passion for performance shine through. You get the sense of a woman who has fought hard to stay in the game, not out of desperation, but because she genuinely loves what she does.

The show’s closing moments bring everything full circle, as she reflects on family, aging, and the bittersweet passage of time with a rare moment of sincerity. It’s a touching finish that reminds you there’s real depth beneath all the filth and fun. The scene of her mother’s death was particularly relatable, and I have made a note to always carry around emergency snacks. 

If there’s one small criticism, it’s that some stories feel glossed over—like her father’s spy past, which gets a tantalisingly brief mention—leaving you wishing she’d lingered just a little longer. But then again, Eclair’s comedy has always been about moving forward, never dwelling too long on the past and of course, she does promise to be done by 9.30. She knows her audience after all and most of us like to be in bed with a cup of tea by 11pm. 

Jokes, Jokes, Jokes is a triumphant celebration of a life lived loudly and unapologetically. It’s filthy, funny, and surprisingly poignant—just like Jenny Eclair herself. Four stars for a show that proves she’s still one of the sharpest, most entertaining voices in comedy. I left the evening looking forward to the future of my womanhood again and considering purchasing a pair of crocs. Long may she reign.

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Photo Credit: Ellis O’Brien