Review: Aaron Twitchen at the Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

I was first introduced to the comedian Aaron Twitchen at an LGBTQ+ comedy event from Queer as Joke in which he performed a short set as part of a mixed bill of stand-ups. So, when I found out he was bringing his latest show, 'Himbo', to Birmingham's Old Joint Stock I was excited to hear more from this comedian.

The outline for this show reads: "Fresh from a heartbreak, in India, during his best friend's wedding - Aaron chooses happiness creating a heart-healing hour. After making poor choices himself, Aaron is handing YOU control. You choose the topics and tailor the stand-up show to your desires. Expect jokes about dating disasters, pop-culture and being a geriatric millenial in this deeply personal and energetic stand-up hour."

'Himbo' is a 'choose your own mystery' style comedy set with so many 90s and early 2000s references threaded through it, it's worthy of a place in the Goosebumps book series. 

Audience members are encouraged to help Aaron choose his comedy material from a board of topics including 'Gay Animals', 'Gay Apology', 'Dating' 'Ghosts', and more, meaning that any one show could be different from the next. With different material potentially being used in any number of different orders, this makes for a lively and unique comedy experience. This particular iteration of the show also saw Twitchen use music to end and segue between the different topics for the first time. 

The element of choice when it comes to material performed is presented in a competitive, funfair style ring-toss, which allows for fun audience interaction - which worked brilliantly in an intimate setting such as the Old Stock Joint - plus the chance to win a copy of Aaron Twitchen's book, 'Homo History.' 

Aaron Twitchen at The Old Joint Stock

Aaron Twitchen's 'Himbo' is a hilariously camp and sparkling stand-up show (not just because of the rhinestoned green velvet jacket). It is gleefully gay, witty and fun whilst also touching on some deeper topics including conversion therapy, queer history, and heartbreak. 

A show on love where the ultimate conclusion is a love of comedy, Aaron Twitchen's passion and love for this performance art is very evident in the way he shines and captures an audience in laughter throughout this show. 

Twitchen's one-hour stand-up show, 'Himbo', is on tour in the UK and has already been awarded the Edinburgh Fringe 'Keep it Fringe' grant and received an award nomination from Brighton Fringe. More shows are available to book including a further Birmingham date at Fletchers, 26th July. 

Aaron Twitchen's Homo History: A seriously funny breakdown of the biggest LGBTQ+ moments is also out now!

The Venue:

The Old Joint Stock is a Fuller's Pub and studio theatre, located on Temple Row. Originally designed as a library, this grade II listed venue owes its current name to its past use by Birmingham Joint Stock Bank. Passing through the main pub area, with its beautifully carved wooden bar and elaborate chandelier, you can access the theatre part of the venue by walking right to the very back and heading up the stairs or using the lift. One floor up from the main pub, you will find the Chatwin bar — named after the building's architect J. A. Chatwin — which is usually open to theatre-goers for pre-show and interval drinks. On this particular occasion, the Chatwin Room was booked for a private function but drinks could purchased from the main bar, or a selection of drinks were available from the theatre bar. 

Another floor up from there is where you will find the theatre which has a flexible seating arrangement for a variety of different show set-ups, in an intimate venue setting.