Soho Theatre Live Season 2 Episode 6 Jordan Brookes: I've Got Nothing

Jordan Brookes takes the stage for Soho Theatre Live season 2 episode 6 with his show titled "I've Got Nothing". Brookes is a stand-up comedian known for his unconventional style and off-the-wall humour. In this performance, he describes the show as his "best attempt at nothing", a strange and enigmatic phrase that sets the tone for what's to come.

From the very beginning, Brookes defies expectations. He enters the stage dressed in a white lab coat and carrying a small glass jar, which he places carefully on a table. He spends several minutes arranging the jar and various props on the stage, not saying a word as the audience watches in confusion and anticipation.

When he finally begins to speak, it's in a quiet, almost sotto voce tone. He talks about his anxiety and panic attacks, the fear that grips him every time he steps onstage, and his struggle to create something meaningful as a performer. He speaks slowly and methodically, rarely cracking a joke or going for an easy laugh. It's clear that this is a departure from the traditional stand-up comedy format, and many in the audience no doubt wonder where he's going with this.

As the show progresses, Brookes begins to build on his opening monologue with strange, surrealist sketches and bizarre characters. He plays an aloof and confounding magician, a creepy schoolteacher obsessed with a student's artwork, and a series of demented office workers engaged in pointless, circular conversations. Each sketch is punctuated by long silences, stilted dialogue, and sudden outbursts of violence or absurdity. It's hard to know what to make of it all, but there's no denying the strange power of his performance.

One of the most striking aspects of "I've Got Nothing" is Brookes' use of physical comedy. Though he often speaks in a monotone voice and moves slowly and deliberately, he's capable of sudden bursts of frenetic activity that leave the audience gasping. He writhes on the floor, flails his arms wildly, and contorts his face into grotesque expressions. It's a testament to his physical skill that he's able to make these movements seem both hilarious and disturbing at the same time.

There are some moments of genuine poignancy in the show, particularly when Brookes talks about his personal life. He speaks candidly about his relationship with his father, who passed away when he was young, and the impact it's had on him. He also talks about his own struggles with mental health and how it's impacted his work as a comedian. These moments are rare, but they add depth and emotion to a show that could easily become too weird and absurdist without them.

Overall, Jordan Brookes' "I've Got Nothing" is a challenging and thought-provoking piece of performance art. Though it's ostensibly a comedy show, it defies expectations and pushes the boundaries of what we expect from stand-up comedy. It will leave some viewers scratching their heads, others laughing until they cry, and still others wondering what the hell just happened. But one thing is for sure - it's a performance that demands your attention and refuses to be ignored.