There is a distinguished, if niche, tradition of shows that pursue a comedian’s nerdy sporting enthusiasms. Kieran Hodgson’s unforgettable cycling number, Lance, pedals to mind. In his show Javelin, Australian comedian Tom Walker imagines that he spent 12 years as a professional spear-thrower. It recounts this hypothetical career, and Walker’s deep respect for all-time javelin champ Jan Železný, in fits and starts, interspersed with mime sketches and standup chat on different subjects entirely.
From a brilliant tongue-in-cheek intro video onwards, there is lots to enjoy about the show, even if the javelin conceit does not soar. The performance I saw was not greatly helped by Walker’s climactic outburst about his not-entirely-positive Edinburgh fringe experience – which London audiences will presumably be spared on the current Soho theatre run.
