Steve-O, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham - review
I imagine many people saw the adverts around Birmingham stating Jackass star Steve-O was bringing his End of the World tour to O2 Academy 2 and thought - "Well, I wonder what that is?!"
Trying his hand at variety shows, the star of hit comedy/stunt shows Jackass and Wildboyz combined stand-up comedy, circus tricks and the daredevil stunts he's synonymous with in a jam-packed hour-long performance.
Support act Danny Sutcliffe had the daunting task of appearing onstage before Steve-O, after the crowd had already been waiting an hour and a half for his arrival.
The Mancunian comic told tales of his life with double vision, his trips to the GUM clinic and got the audience involved with a few choice magic tricks - due to the fact his "b****" ex-girlfriend could no longer make it.
He dealt with drunk hecklers well, endearing himself to them with his sweary anecdotal-style comedy and winning round the restless crowd.
The minute Steve-O took to the stage the crowd roared, and he immediately posed for the audience's chance to take photos before being asked to put their phones away. Now, the show can begin.
Steve-O is not just a daring stunt man and his show is far more than that; his stand up comedy routine was polished and blended true story, sometimes harrowing true story, with the lighter side of life.
He takes the audience through his life - from his hilarious ball-stapling, drug mule arrest records, his intervention headed by Johnny Knoxville.
Audience participation was split in two halves in this show, on one hand he got four audience members to take part in his tricks to amaze, while on the other he gets hecklers thrown out for interrupting - the show must go on after all and his fans weren't having the show ruined by unwanted comments.
The show wasn't just stand up however, he treated the audience to the Jackass tomfoolery they were expecting - squeezing lemons into his eyes, balancing a table on his chin and finishing the show stark naked.
He invited the whole audience to meet with him, chat, have photos taken and possessions signed and so he stayed there for a full two hours later - just to thank each and every audience member.
Steve-O live is not what many would expect, but it is definitely a must-see show. It is easy to see why Steve-O has entertained worldwide for years, as he is entertaining and thoroughly charismatic from head to toe, with enticing stories and a wild attitude that leaves the audience guessing at every turn.
By Becci Stanley
