Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic

Best known to British audiences for her Comedy Central sitcom and “f***ing Matt Damon (youtube it)”, Sarah Silverman specialises in the kind of subversive, misanthropic and very un-PC brand of humour associated with South Park or Larry David. Watching Jesus Is Magic, essentially a stand-up concert interspersed with songs and sketches, it can be hard to shake the feeling that some of this is rather old hat. Thankfully, however, it is very funny. Drawing inspiration from such modern standards as AIDS, race, gay sex, rape and the holocaust, Silverman is unafraid of offending her audience’s no doubt liberal sensibilities, yet her impeccable timing and bitchy delivery are laced with an irresistible irony not usually found in American comedy. Director Liam Lynch (he of the United States of Whatever) understands that Silverman’s relentless provocation can be wearying, wisely interspersing deadpan sketches (involving her sitcom’s cast) appropriately, and giving the musical numbers a cinematic pizzazz. And never have you heard a more restrained American standup audience! [Michael Gillespie]