Milton Jones: Comedy Festival Review

I've seen Milton Jones three times now in the past 4 days - twice as part of other shows and now as a solo act.

Despite some of the material being replayed (as it obviously would) I've not suffered a lessening reaction - in fact, it's been the complete opposite - even more mirth at his surreal one liners and overtly corny puns.

The show begins with Milton Jones' grandad being welcomed to the stage and he dodders out and begins to perform an act; it's madness in a flat cap and overcoat.

And it's bloody funny to be frank. It's also unfair of me to reveal some of the gags and non sequiturs he comes out with (the majority of which I'm smirking at as I write this.)

Suffice it to say that time with Milton is like walking through a maze with ever shifting dimensions; just when you think you're about to turn left and get to the point, the white rabbit rushes into the maze, pulls the rug from under you and then jumps on your head. If you think that analogy came from nowhere, then you've got some idea of what Milton's MO is.

After his grandpa's done the set twice (trust me, you'll never look at the phrase "I'm going to start again" in the same way), Milton himself is brought on and the mirth and laughter doesn't let up as he delivers hit after surreal hit in a flowing stream of surreal stupendousness.

You don't quite know where Milton's going when he starts to speak - you think you have an inkling of where he's headed and then he wrong foots you or delivers such a terribly corny line, you can't help but give in and just revel in the zaniness of a perfectly timed punchline. For example, one line is that you should never buy pizza from sports shops. While you're scratching your head, Milton reels you in by pulling a dartboard out. In Milton's wacky world of weird, it all makes sense. And after a little exposure to him, it makes sense to you as well.

Even though the audience is occasionally non-plussed, there's some good natured banter back and forth - as well as a little audience involvement, there's also Milton's pictures on a technologically advanced OHP. It was at this point that I really lost any last minor resistance to his gags - and lines like "My favourite memory of Houdini...pause...no, it's gone" just proved hit after hit. Quite simply, resistance is futile.

So, I'll admit I relented and gave you a couple of his gags, but given the amount that he uses throughout his set, you're not spoiled....trust me, there's plenty more where that came from in this pure quality set. And it's sheer genius.


With his puzzled face, wavy hair and calm exterior, Milton Jones is a comedy festival must see - it's a polished and unusual set which locks horns with the absurd and tosses it your way. Don't miss Milton - he's one of the UK's premiere entertainers, an archduke of the absurd and a prince of the peculiar. He's also  perfectly timed punchline perfection which will have you chortling as you wander off into the night.