Durham Fringe Festival 2026
Low Down
“Masculinity is in crisis! Alpha-Dogs and Macho-Maniacs dominate the conversation. But there is another way. Join this award-winning comedian as he presents a more gentle approach to being a chap”
Review
As I hauled my aging body up the final steps of the alpine climb into cafedral at just after nine o’clock to see stand up Jake Bake. I was hoping for some chuckles to ease my aches from a long day of festival frolics. But as any seasoned festival goer will tell you. Stand up can be a hit and miss affair. From seasoned performers honing their latest Edinburgh offering to some newcomer who has been told they were hilarious and should be on stage.
Content can range from razor sharp observation to therapy for the performer and their family.
So what was Jake Bake’s “The Gentleman’s Club” A look at masculinity in crisis!! All about? The faint whiff of woke was soon dispelled by a beautifully crafted hour of comedy. Jake has a genuinely warm stage presence.
He engages from the first second and holds the audience effortlessly with clarity and finely structured material. Every moment of the very funny set tickles, prompting face-aching smiles and belly
laughs.
With material that looks at Maleness across the whole animal kingdom from penguins to angler fish, Jake offershis take on the manosphere is a tonic to be swallowed with gusto.
I’d seen comments that Jake was “gentle” in his style, yes perhaps, but he’s certainly not soft. I would absolutely recommend seeing him.
Guest reviewed by Philip Harrison.
Philip is a writer and actor.
