Ollie Horn @ Just the Tonic, Mash House

Culture clashes galore in Ollie Horn's unbelievable tale of success in Japan

Review by James Gladdis | 16 Aug 2019
  • Comedy

Ollie Horn touches on material no one else is brave enough to address: that custard creams and bourbons are the superior biscuits when the relationship between affordability and deliciousness is taken into account. This is the most important point throughout Pig in Japan, and Horn also uses it as a good metaphor for white privilege at universities.

The central theme of Pig in Japan is that no matter what, you can’t prevent change. You simply have to come to terms with the fact that life will always, perpetually, be in a state of flux.

All of this is achieved through Horn’s use of multimedia and his impressive delivery, though at times he could gain a lot from slowing down his jokes; this is particularly the case when Horn makes reference to Japanese culture. Unfortunately, there are some more obscure references to Japanese culture that fly over the audience’s heads.

This should not detract from the fact that Pig in Japan is a touching, absurd and often unbelievable story of one young man’s attempt to ‘find himself’. And what makes it all the more spectacular is that he succeeds.


Ollie Horn: Pig in JapanJust the Tonic @ The Mash House (Just the Snifter Room), until 25 Aug, 3.15pm, £7/PWYW