Olga Koch @ Monkey Barrel

In her latest hour, Olga Koch is fighting fit. Just Friends is the tightest, most brilliant rom-com, crammed with punchlines and a structure that could rival any (good) Richard Curtis film. It details her search for sexual liberation after a breakup and exploring what exactly is and what isn’t hoe culture (Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne and Dolly Parton – all hoe culture, just in case you were wondering).

Just Friends doesn’t just knock on the door of sex positivity, it kicks the hinges off and squirts on the welcome mat. It’s a straight-up example of someone who defiantly lives their politics instead of just preaching to like-minded comedy audiences. It doesn’t undermine its politics by being gross-out or vulgar either, treading the line with precision and care. This show is loud, proud and gloriously unabashed whilst revealing itself at its core to be a surprisingly tender hour, ruminating on love and rejection.

Koch’s punchlines come almost unnaturally fast and uproarious (the gag count feels on par to that of a one-liner comedian) and the show is so unflashy it hurts. There’s no gimmicks, nothing out of the ordinary, just razor-sharp writing which never fails to land. It’s immaculately crafted in all dimensions and the ending is so euphoric you’ll leave floating on air. And that, my friends, is the absolute epitome of hoe culture. 

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Olga Koch: Just Friends, Monkey Barrel (MB1), until 28 Aug, 7.35pm, £8-10; Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two), 26 Aug, 9.40pm, £10