By Kat Mokrynski

What do Elvis Costello, church, and mass shootings have in common? They’re all topics in James Austin Johnson’s new show, The Age of JAJ, now touring in the UK and Europe. Johnson is a comedian from Tennessee who is a current cast member of the hit American show, Saturday Night Live (more commonly referred to as SNL). The new show takes on other comedian’s shows, claiming that “in a world where comics must tackle every hot button social issue with a totally-un-PC opinion, JAJ doesn’t really do that” (SoHo Theatre).

Johnson is most well-known for his impressions of Donald Trump on SNL, so it is unsurprising to see him bring the impression to his own show. It truly is something incredible to see, watching a man from Tennessee turn into the infamous man with simple changes in voice and facial expression. But Johnson also does a fantastic impression of current President Joe Biden, which is also hilariously accurate, giving him the chance to poke fun of both Democrats and Republicans. 

I particularly enjoyed Johnson’s bit about Bob Dylan, the iconic singer-songwriter who can’t actually sing that well and whose title of the “Voice of A Generation” should be challenged. Johnson’s impression of Dylan had me in stitches and wanting to hear him perform an entire concert as Bob Dylan!

Along with his impressions, Johnson also gets into some interesting topics ranging from what it’s like to go to church to how a flamboyant Southern man would have changed the mood of shooters responsible for the Columbine High School massacre. Even though he goes into dark topics like mass shootings, Johnson is able to weave comedy into these moments without insulting the memories of those affected. 

While The Age of JAJ is hilarious, I worry that its material may be too focused on the culture of the United States to be appealing to those living in the United Kingdom and beyond. There is a very American energy to the show as a whole, with many moments relying on the audience to have context that might not be as well-known across the pond as it is in the States. For example, many Americans are familiar with the Trench Coat Mafia, the clique that the Columbine shooters belonged to, but others may be confused, not understanding the next few minutes of jokes related to the murderers. 

Ultimately, James Austin Johnson: The Age of JAJ is a fantastic hour of comedy that will leave you in awe of Johnson’s ability to impersonate and leave you humming “The Highwaymen” on your way home. Who knew a country music supergroup could be so hilarious? 

James Austin Johnson: The Age of JAJ runs for 60 minutes and will be on tour in London (5 to 10 June), Glasgow (12 June), Manchester (14 June), Leeds (15 June), Dublin (16 June), Copenhagen (18 June), Amsterdam (19 June), and Oslo (20 June) before beginning its run in the United States. More information, including where to purchase tickets for each venue, can be found here.