Little Lark of London

After a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last month, American comedian Joey Dardano brings his show, Joey Dardano: Another Direction, to London for one night only. The show focuses on Dardano’s dreams for the future, wanting to become known as a famous entertainer. He certainly has a solid start, being a part of the hit comedy group Stamptown and currently featuring on the show Wild ‘N Out in the United States. But Dardano, however, wants to take it further.

Dardano begins by appealing to the London-based audience, discussing how he has been enjoying the meal deals, even though they have had a poor effect on his bowel movements. He also tells the audience a bit about his background, growing up half-Cuban and half-Italian (the Italian half definitely comes into play later on). Most of the show focuses on his career as a performer, including a wild story about a piece of work that may or may not have been named after him – you’ll have to see the show to find out! At times, it’s tough to tell how much of the hour is scripted versus improvised, with Dardano jumping from topic to topic with an impressive amount of speed.

An unexpected highlight of the show is Dardano’s many interactions with the audience. At times, Dardano quite literally cannot help himself, with jokes slipping out that have even him reacting with shock – and apologies to audience members! Luckily, it’s all in good fun, with one of the audience members who has been picked on the most being invited onto the stage the help Dardano with his “self-tape audition.” The best interaction actually has Dardano changing a part of one of his jokes based on audience feedback, leading to several callbacks that receive applause from the audience. 

Finally, to end the hour, Dardano performs two songs, which he acknowledges as special, as he normally only performs one, but will be performing the second to honour the request of a friend in the audience. The first? “Anal in Italy,” which is, as one might be able to guess from the title, is about having anal sex in Italy. If the themes of sex and the country of Italy aren’t appealing, you’re definitely not going to like the next song, “Pussy Before Pasta,” either, but everyone in the room loved it, at one point singing along with the chorus in between verses in which Dardano lists different types of pasta that one should have only after they have sex. 

Ultimately, Joey Dardano: Another Direction is a stupidly silly hour of comedy that allows Dardano to prove his place as an entertainer. It’s a great mix of jokes, audience interactions and songs that will have people wanting to see more from the comedian – even if his self-tape didn’t go to plan. 

Joey Dardano: Another Direction ran at The Bill Murray on 1 September. For more information on Dardano, click here.