Pierre Novellie's stand-up show 'You Sit There, I'll Stand Here' has arrived at a time when relatable references are scarce. The comedian laments that observational humor, once a staple of comedy, has become increasingly isolated due to our fragmented society. However, he doesn't entirely convince on this point, as his opening bits, tackling middle-age struggles and suburban life, rely heavily on familiar comedic tropes.
While Novellie's writing is undeniably sharp, with one-liners that pack a punch ("I played rugby at school the same way that horses fought in the war"), his performance feels conventionally formal, and his delivery can be stiff at times. That being said, as the show progresses, his routines gain momentum, showcasing his skill in crafting clever, absurd scenarios.
A standout section on airport fashion, complete with a brief detour into Winnie the Pooh's wardrobe, is a highlight, but it's the following segment on Novellie's game of chicken with hotel cleaners that truly shines. This eco-friendly laundry policy debacle is a masterclass in 'extensio ad absurdum,' where an initial premise spirals out of control with hilarious results.
The show wraps up with the narrator of Novellie's house move, which finds him burdened with six tote bags of beef, awkwardly tied to his neck. While not as expansive as some of his comedy peers, like Rhod Gilbert and Ian Smith, there are glimmers of a more nuanced personality beneath the crusty colonel exterior.
A particularly effective moment comes when Novellie greets his removal men, each reaching their destination separately, with a thousand-yard stare that says it all: "I'm not the man they left behind." This glimpse into his character hints that, despite a narrow range of expression, Novellie's wit remains potent. As observational comedy in 2026 continues to evolve, there's certainly still life in this old dog yet.
While Novellie's writing is undeniably sharp, with one-liners that pack a punch ("I played rugby at school the same way that horses fought in the war"), his performance feels conventionally formal, and his delivery can be stiff at times. That being said, as the show progresses, his routines gain momentum, showcasing his skill in crafting clever, absurd scenarios.
A standout section on airport fashion, complete with a brief detour into Winnie the Pooh's wardrobe, is a highlight, but it's the following segment on Novellie's game of chicken with hotel cleaners that truly shines. This eco-friendly laundry policy debacle is a masterclass in 'extensio ad absurdum,' where an initial premise spirals out of control with hilarious results.
The show wraps up with the narrator of Novellie's house move, which finds him burdened with six tote bags of beef, awkwardly tied to his neck. While not as expansive as some of his comedy peers, like Rhod Gilbert and Ian Smith, there are glimmers of a more nuanced personality beneath the crusty colonel exterior.
A particularly effective moment comes when Novellie greets his removal men, each reaching their destination separately, with a thousand-yard stare that says it all: "I'm not the man they left behind." This glimpse into his character hints that, despite a narrow range of expression, Novellie's wit remains potent. As observational comedy in 2026 continues to evolve, there's certainly still life in this old dog yet.