For the first time ever, a comedian performs an entire stand-up special in the style of an ASMR video. Jack Barry's ASMR version of his Edinburgh Fringe 2018 show Tango will be released on 15th October at 10am on Turtle Canyon Comedy’s YouTube channel, for free.
Tango was originally performed at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe. It enjoyed a sold-out run at the Fringe and exclusively 4 and 5 star reviews, before transferring to a nationwide tour and a run at the Soho Theatre. Jack Barry wrote the show after becoming his parent’s unofficial marriage counsellor. After discussing the problems in their marriage, he realised that a lot of it boiled down to sex, and a lack of communication about sex. In the show, he examines our attitudes towards sex, our prudishness and how with better communication and education we could all enjoy better sex, and be more sexually open. It was produced by Berk’s Nest and directed by Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning director Phoebe Bourke.
ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is an experience of “low-grade euphoria” characterised by a tingling or fizzing sensation in the skin that some people feel in their neck or lower back when they hear certain sounds or see certain stimuli. It’s pseudo-science, but is undeniably popular, with hundreds of YouTube channels now dedicated to ASMR, many of them garnering millions of views. The videos are designed to be relaxing, and are not intended to be sexual. However, that has not stopped Barry from deciding to record his show Tango, all about sex, as an ASMR video. Produced and directed by online comedy heavyweights Turtle Canyon Comedy, this is the first ever marriage of the comedy and ASMR genres. Stuart Laws of Turtle Canyon Comedy said this:
“When Jack mentioned he wanted to film his stand up special as an ASMR video it was obvious that Turtle Canyon was the only production company stupid enough to not only say yes but to actively get excited about the prospect. The result is a hilarious and unique stand up comedy show that showcases the brilliance of Jack’s writing in a very special way.”
Jack’s stand-up has appeared on the Russell Howard Hour (Sky One). He has supported Russell Howard, Marc Maron, Joe Lycett and James Acaster on their UK tours. He has appeared on TV in shows like Catastrophe (Ch4), Cuckoo (BBC), Turn Up Charlie (Netflix), Dad’s Army (UK Gold) and Stath Lets Flats (Channel 4). He will also star as a series regular, playing himself, in the upcoming Mae Martin sitcom Feel Good (Ch4 and Netflix).
