Kevin Bridges is in his 30s now, a time when fear of hangovers eclipses the joy of drinking, when young people start behaving mysteriously – and old friends called Craigy become grownups called Craig. “But I know you’re still in there, Craigy,” says Bridges, zooming in on the man’s Facebook photo, peering maniacally into his eyes. Judging by tonight’s gig, the Glaswegian won’t rest until he’s hunted down all our inner Craigys. Not for Bridges the conceit that we’ve civilised and matured. He’s here to scorn pretension and pounce on piety – and as ever, it’s a treat to watch him do it.
That’s because his amusement at the human comedy seems genuine – and because his jokes are distinguished by an intelligence that is the opposite of crude populism. Yes, we’re squarely in observational comedy territory, much of it well trodden. But Bridges brings a fresh perspective or depth of engagement to familiar subjects, as with the great routine imagining “when Joseph the carpenter brings his news [about the immaculate conception] to the rest of the building site”. Or the hard-won gags about avocados as a class signifier.
Bridges grew up among “people who have seen a dog’s pawprint in a human shite” – as he memorably describes his fellow citizens of Clydebank. His accent is a prominent feature of his comedy: it’s more Glasgow kiss than Connolly sing-song, every word a punch well before he gets to the punchlines. The self-assurance is noticeable, too: unlike many modern comics, Bridges presents himself as high-status, seldom playing the fool.
All the odder, then, that he expresses doubt over how well tonight’s gig is going. There’s no need: from the anecdote about performing after Barack Obama to the tale of a brain-fade at a school exam, the quality seldom falters. And there are a handful of set-pieces to die for, not least the closer – a sitcom in standup form – about his family’s fraught wait for the delivery of a Chinese meal. It’s masterful stuff, as sweet and as sour as anything Lucky Panda has to offer.
At Hammersmith Apollo, London, until 15 September. Then touring.
