The premise centers on Ollie, aged 33, who doesn’t have a wife and is on a quest to find one. To achieve this, he decides to become more “toxic.” Throughout the set, he digs deep into topics related to dating and relationships, creating a clever paradox about the kind of man who “ruins it for everyone.” Yes, we definitely all know one.
The show is divided mainly into two parts, with a short break in the middle. In the first part, Ollie introduces himself, explains the concept and structure of the show, and takes time to get to know the audience. There’s also a warm-up act by local comedian Alexander Popov, who shares funny stories about being a teacher.
In the second part, Ollie introduces a new character: the fuckboy. However, this character isn’t just a superficial, pleasure-seeking man: he’s determined and focused on finding his future wife. Ollie fully commits to this character, not just through his attitude and stage presence, but through small, symbolic details that make him feel familiar. Examples include “flashy” jewelry and the use of a vape – not just as a prop, but as a symbol of escape, coolness, or a way to release tension, enhanced by the stage smoke effects at the end.
The performance demonstrates excellent control of timing and space. Ollie isn’t afraid to leave a few extra seconds for the audience to process a joke, a movement, or a facial expression. This pacing strengthens the second half of the show and connects perfectly to one of his main themes: his goal of finding a wife, not a girlfriend because, as he jokes, “a girlfriend is lame.”
Regarding audience interaction, Ollie goes beyond traditional crowd work. He breaks the idea of the classic stage-versus-audience separation by moving off stage and engaging directly with people, creating lively and spontaneous dynamics even with audience members far from the front rows.
In conclusion, although the structure of the show might feel slightly confusing at the beginning, Comedy For Toxic People delivers an authentic dose of British humor to the local stage. It brings plenty of laughs and smiles to brighten up a regular Tuesday night. The show closes with a bit of singing and dancing, the cherry on top of a great performance.
Author: Isi Salcedo
I’m a stand-up comedian and comic artist from Santiago, Chile, now living in Tallinn, Estonia. I create stories that make people laugh, think, and feel, whether through my graphic novels like Diaries of an Au Pair or comedy shows like Flipping the 30s. I’m passionate about storytelling and exploring how art can connect us to emotions and experiences across cultures
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