Comedy: Feminism for Chaps: Andrew Watts

It isn't fashionable to be a feminist, least of all a male feminist. At least female feminists only have to worry about Jeremy Clarkson fans dismissing them. Male feminists, well, apparently they are hated by the feminists too.

I went to this fully expecting an hour of 'hey, guys, tell her her bum doesn't look big in that! Hahahaha!' such was my prejudice when I read the blurb. I honestly thought I was going to be in for an hour of thinly veiled misogyny dressed up as comedy. To my delight, I was wrong.

This was a genuinely funny, cerebral bit of stand up that addressed real issues of inequality at its roots. Starting off with a mild anecdotal, but charming method of how to behave when a woman asks you about her clothing and going on to cover childbirth, stay at home dad stereotypes,  feminist porn and feminist sex parties, Watts covered many points of significance in a witty and open way. Whilst it isn't always a laugh out loud set, it is funny and raises some important issues about how we all conform to gender stereotypes, a possible factor that hinders the advancement of equality between the sexes.

Interestingly the only heckles came from the women in the room and given the nature of their objections (Namely that strip clubs are fine. I think. Or maybe they objected to men being refused entry to one for wearing trainers. I don't know) I was left feeling a bit depressed that we really have got a long way to go in terms of equality.

By his own admission, it was raw material and I think it's only going to get better. I recommend you look out for Andrew Watts. If you don't think you can stomach stand up comedy about feminism, try thinking of it as just common sense.

4/5 - He's in the quadrant quite frequently so go if you can

Lex Moon