It’s been a little under three years since Rhod Gilbert last performed his brilliant Book Of John show at Warwick Arts Centre, which is half the time it took him to get back to stand-up after a protracted break in the first place.

This latest date came in the wake of three postponed gigs due to Covid, a fact not lost on the gruff-voiced Welshman, who initially mocked the Coventry venue - particularly after a straw poll revealed most of the audience weren’t from the city - before acknowledging his gratitude that people had made the effort to turn up. Albeit undercut by concern that so many had travelled long distances to the venue and clearly hadn’t grasped the concept of a tour (“I’m supposed to come to you”).

Those opening minutes’ banter were all we got in terms of new material, as the set was essentially a rerun of the original - with minor edits and a few changes in sequencing, if memory serves - which might have disappointed those who saw it the first time round but provided a comedy masterclass and fabulous night’s entertainment for those who hadn’t.

To recap, the John of the show’s title is the driver that Gilbert hired to chauffeur him around after a mini-stroke left him legally unfit to drive, and the reason there’s a book is that virtually everything he said was infuriatingly stupid. Which the comic instantly realised was comedy gold and proceeded to write down.

Despite the new source of inspiration, the resulting show is realistically only a minor change of tack for the typically manic comedian. Whereas previous performances have primarily been about his exasperation with the minutiae of life, The Book of John sees him just as exasperated by John and his absurd responses to mostly more important concerns, including Gilbert’s stroke, IVF treatment, neurological tests and mother’s funeral.

None of which would normally be a laughing matter, but John’s ridiculous take on things, and the pair’s resulting arguments about them, made for a series of brilliantly hilarious yarns, all delivered at Gilbert’s trademark frenetic pace.

At one point he admitted the driver’s innocent idiocy actually made him laugh during some of the toughest moments of his life, and while every anecdote is obviously exaggerated for comedic effect – his experience at the fertility clinic is riotously funny - there’s a genuine sense of truth to much of the material that makes the show fiercely human, as well as humane.  

And as much as the title suggests it’s all about John, this is easily Gilbert’s most personal show and one that takes his comedy to an even higher level. It’s also one I was more than happy to enjoy all over again.

Five stars. Reviewed by Steve Adams at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry on Sat 29 January.

Catch Rhod Gilbert's The Book Of John at the following venues:

Symphony Hall, Birmingham - Sat 9 April

Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa - Tues 26 April

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre - Thurs 26 May

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - Mon 27 June