Andrew O'Neill: Occult Comedian

Entering the stage to the ominous sounds of Norwegian black metal, Andrew O'Neill looks rather outlandish in his denim skirt, tight 'Feminist'-emblazoned t-shirt, long hair and lipstick. He begins by discussing his interest in the occult, in particular Aleister Crowley (apparently most of Crowley's rituals involved his own semen), and it's this incongruity between the subject matter and his own, fairly disarming persona that allows much of his comedy to work very well indeed. The occult is also quite an original topic for a comedian, and O'Neill speaks very informatively on the subject between jokes, engaging the audience on a topic most would probably never give a thought to.

Whilst sticking fairly well to his theme, he also touches on a number of other subjects. He intersperses his routines with some inspired comic monologues and relating his many interesting personal experiences, including interviewing Watchmen author Alan Moore, and the difficulty he has negotiating the rudeboy-infested streets of London in women's clothing. The fact that O'Neill is straightforwardly heterosexual only adds to the laughs as he conjures the image of bemused shop workers trying to work out how to respond to a dress-wearing 'cockney geezer.'

Before the end, O'Neill takes on The Jonas Brothers. An easy target perhaps, but his incitement to Jonas-rape is ultimately hilarious, and clearly points out the inherent incompatability of rock'n'roll and Christianity in the process. This is a tight, well-paced set that has a unique charm in its mixture of unconventional topics and everyday observations of London life.