Before coming to Japan, I lived in London for four years. To have never – ever – seen Yuriko Kotani do stand-up in either of those places yet? ‘An oversight’ would be putting it mildly.
Also, Yuriko and I follow each other on Twitter. (If you’re not already following YurikoComedy, go do it.)
So when I found out she was coming to Osaka, I cleared my Saturday night schedule. And then put the ’80s dance party’ back in afterwards, because some things are sacred.
The natural comedy destination around here is, of course, ROR Comedy in Shinsaibashi. I can’t tell you how excited I was for a show with a woman in the line-up. I should probably put the jokes where my mouth is and get back to one of their open mic nights soon.
At the time I booked, there were five tickets left. For the second show, which had been hastily arranged due to insanely high demand. Took my seat in a room so packed I was more or less sitting on someone’s lap.
I put ‘& more’ in the title up there, because we also got to see four funny men that night. To give you a taster, here’s a quick recap of each one.
Momotaro Takamori – Our host for the evening. A master of sarcasm, which is unusual for anyone who isn’t British.
Tony Romani – Again, one of ROR’s own. Believes all good salsa routines should start from the cheesy grin.
Evans Musoka Luseno – Possibly the happiest man I’ve ever seen. Somehow has zero internet presence (?).
Phil Nichol – A wizard harnessing the energy of several suns. ‘Intimate’ knowledge of guitars, and how to pluck them.
Yuriko was the final act in the first half. The whole second half was Phil’s to mess with, and by ‘eck did he. It’s lovely to see a bloke multitask so effectively. By which I mean he played a tasty guitar riff while balancing on a chair and humping someone’s face.
Before any of that unfolded, Yuriko ended the pre-interval section on a high.
This is going to sound mildly perverse, but I enjoy hearing not-British people using our swearwords. They take on an extra deliciousness when used more deliberately. Seriously, if you’ve only ever heard ‘you wanker’ uttered by some Essex boy at the wheel of a white van, you’re probably missing out.
My one regret is not getting to talk to Yuriko afterwards. Several other fangirls had already descended, and I had a dance floor to be on. (In retrospect, the goofy side ponytail and white shoes might also have been concerning.)
Yuriko, if you read this: Thanks for coming! Hoping to see you again sometime. And please don’t unfollow me.
