A brief intro from Julia Sutherland, explaining, amusingly, the audience's role in what was about to come, and then Jo was on the stage. As caustic and sharp as ever, what would eventually be edited down into a half hour radio programme moved rapidly from subject to subject, with occasional retakes where she felt the delivery could be improved. Topics included how to sleep, her own take on the kitchen magic triangle (gin was prominently involved), her role as 'the man' when she's out with her 'girly girlfriends' and the hidden secrets of online dating. Plus, as ever, the major failings of her husband. Fast, funny, warmly misanthropic. It'll make a good show on the airwaves.
The recording was followed by a request from Jo for our indulgence. She wanted to try out some new material which she wasn't sure she could make funny enough to use, wasn't sure she could be capable of delivering. It concerned the recent death of her sister, clearly still a very raw would in her psyche. The resulting monologue was tear inducing, for both her and us, but there were certainly more than enough laughs for it to become a strong element of a future set. And the emotional punch it carried widens the breadth of her comedy credentials. Good on Jo for taking something so tragic and sharing it with others who may take their own strength from her experiences.
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