Comedian Louis C.K. returned to London last week after 4 years away from the city’s stages.
As previously reported, this return carried the weight of past controversies alongside a shift towards smaller, more intimate venues.
Walking into the Eventim Apollo, the atmosphere felt relaxed, with the audience clearly ready for the performance rather than cautiously anticipating it.
The show was officially sold-out, proving there is still strong demand for his comedy.
Many fans queued at the merchandise stall, where Louis C.K. proudly showcased his novel, ‘Ingram’, priced at a whopping £27.50 for a signed copy.
From the moment Louis C.K. walked on stage, it was clear that his set was a return to form, opening with jokes about AIDS and God within the first minute.
He knew there was no sense in trying to win the audience over, most of them having chosen to be there regardless of the recent controversies.
Louis C.K. chose not to allude to his misconduct allegations and subsequent cancellation in this hour, which is not too surprising as he had already spent a good portion of his 2021 comeback special ‘Sorry’ addressing the subject.
This iteration of the comedian felt more introspective, frequently circling back to the themes of ageing and loneliness.
One audience member said: “It’s more self-deprecating, it’s darker – he was more lively before, there’s a sense of difference.”
He added that he was surprised by Louis C.K.’s more candid delivery, noting that while he presented some lines as jokes, they felt rooted in reality.
By the end of the show, it was clear that Louis C.K. had gone back to his less performative self from his earlier days, with an added layer of maturity and self-awareness.
The set felt conversational unlike his previous arena tour, which was more akin to a Ricky Gervais set, with grander topics and relying on a prop — a copy of the Bible.
The audience responded positively throughout the show even at his bleaker observations, with laughter and applause.
While this return to London did not have the scale of his earlier tours, Louis C.K.’s material landed with the audience, demonstrating that his impact remains undeniable.
Featured image credit: Henri Crépin-Leblond
