Josie Long: Cara Josephine @ The Stand

Abandoning her previous show’s political slant, and instead now opting for material full of introspection and self-deprecation, Josie Long’s Cara Josephine makes for an awkwardly crafted, at times irritating show. Explaining how, now aged 32 and single, she has reached a crossroads in her life, or, as she puts it, a ‘rubicon,’ Long delves into deeper, more intimate matters ranging from strained family relations to outlandish bedroom misadventures.

The show generally suffers from Long’s attempt to marry her personal anecdotes with daydream-like absurdist tales. At times it can be a similar experience to watching the BBC’s One Show, with handbrake turns aplenty: “Thanks to James Martin there for his take on spag balls… And now to Gaza.” Those looking for Long to still incorporate a smattering of political humour will be left disappointed; a mildly amusing Amélie-inspired picnic with Nigel Farage is all she really affords, and even then it is overdone. Where the show does provide some laughter is when Long introduces subtle observations and fleeting references that demonstrate her undoubted intelligence; whether it’s a xenophobe’s disdain for the Heimlich manoeuvre, or erudite mentions for the London Review of Books and author Anna Minton. Unfortunately, the understated aspects of the show are drowned out by Long’s overzealous delivery that is at first endearing, but quickly wears thin. The colloquial speech throughout seems contrived, and the incessant shouting can be reminiscent of Fearne Cotton on speed.

Though much of Cara Josephine is spent examining Long’s personal affairs in a rather strait-laced fashion, it is still possible to derive black humour from these insights. This being said, the general tone is such that pathos begins to prevail over humour. While the personal nature of the show is intriguing, laughter is in too short supply.