Live Review: The Adam Buxton Podcast @ York Theatre Royal

Tuesday 28th May 2024

One of the reasons The Adam Buxton Podcast has remained not just relevant but vital is its ability to remain fresh. Taking the podcast out on tour for the first time is a canny move and as the live show moved into its fifth night (previous guests included Alex Horne, Bridget Christie and Tash Demetriou), the sell-out crowd at the York Theatre Royal were eager to see who would be joining Buckles for his latest ramble chat. Enter Jessica Knappett…

Probably best known for The Inbetweeners Movie and Taskmaster, Knappett made a successful appearance on The Adam Buxton Podcast back in March of 2024, and the chemistry they demonstrated during that episode is clear for all to see during this live show. We begin with a pre-recorded live stream of Buxton’s beloved dog friend Rosie before singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko delivers a beautiful version of the theme song. The format translates surprisingly well to a live show although it helps that Knappett has a confident and charismatic on-stage presence. The fact that much of this ‘episode’ will never be released adds an extra element of spice to the conversation with Buckles and Knappett both clearly uncomfortable in certain moments – not in a bad way, just in the sense that both of them are oversharers and so it feels as if we the audience are getting more here than a podcast audience would for a pre-record. This adds a layer of intimacy to the show that is only emphasised by the fact that much of the humour derives from their respective relationships with their spouses (much of the first part of the evening is devoted to Buxton holding the audience’s hand through a diary he keeps of arguments with his wife).

The show’s second half sees Buxton field a few questions from the crowd before bringing Knappett back to the stage for an exercise in turning the tables. The Ilkey comedy writer and actress has recently launched her own podcast Perfect Day in which she tasks various guests with recounting what would make up their ideal 24 hours. Dr Buckles opts for breakfast in Scotland in the morning, a stress-free train journey in the afternoon and supper with the family with everyone taking turns at picking the music. It’s all lovely heartwarming and hilarious stuff – the minutiae of family life that Buxton always describes so vividly.

In the end, Buxton delivers a show that just falls short of three hours and includes a comedy guest, a musical guest, and plenty of good times. His podcast is still the best in the business.