Josie Long is happy and optimistic. In a business where cutting humour and professional cynicism are the norm, that makes her stand out in stand-up. Her comedy radiates warmth and joy, drawing you into a world where friendliness, fun and boundless enthusiasm are the norm.
Simon Parkin
Josie Long is happy and optimistic. In a business where cutting humour and professional cynicism are the norm, that makes her stand out in stand-up.
Her comedy radiates warmth and joy. She babbles away passionately and breathlessly about all the exciting things she's found out, strange situations she's been in and people she's met, drawing you into a world where friendliness, fun and boundless enthusiasm are the norm.
If that all seems a bit sugary-sweet for hard bitten comedy fans, fear not. Though she doesn't deal in regular jokes or punchlines as such, she's a top stand-up talent.
Despite having what's been described as a pageboy haircut and childlike grin that makes her resemble a gawky teenager, she is 25 years old.
In 1999, she won the BBC New Comedy Award when she was only 17 - too young even for the champagne that came as part of the prize.
In 2006, she was named Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival, and last year she scooped the best breakthrough act at the Chortle Awards. She also counts some top headline comedy talent as fans - Ross Nobel and Stewart Lee among them.
In this, Trying Is Good, a revival of last year's show from the Edinburgh Festival, she's on a mission to get people to respect others and give them the benefit of the doubt.
t Josie Long, Norwich Arts Centre, Tuesday, February 5, tickets £10/£8 cons, call (01603) 660352.
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