This Review is from August 2026

“What a magical evening,” intones the deadpan comedian like Jack Dee, “utterly remarkable. I’m so excited to be here.”

Bringing It All Back Home is a reference to the Bob Dylan album of the same name and refers to the fact that at the age of thirty, Ele has split with her boyfriend and moved back in with her mum and dad. This is familiar territory for stand-up comedy.

She tells stories of losing her virginity and breaking up with her first love. She’s not afraid to get scatological during the set, even if her mum, Jane, has advised against it. There’s a really good joke concerning Hobbits. There’s a brief bit featuring Pikachu that is hilarious.

There are a few real laugh out loud moments. Ele McKenzie’s stage character is engaging and likable. If she leans a little more into the offbeat material and avoids the more common comedy tropes, she’ll really have something.

Martin Walker