Troy Hawke at Canterbury Festival 2025 - review

I didn’t know quite what to expect when I booked tickets to see Troy Hawke in Canterbury. I had been following his account on Instagram for some time, and hugely enjoyed watching him confuse people with erudite, occasionally surreal compliments. (There’s a video of him meeting people as they finished the London Marathon that I watch periodically when I need a cathartic weep; it’s genuinely beautiful.) 

I’d seen clips of his regular stand-up and enjoyed them, but watching those felt a little disconnected from the videos that had brought him to my social media algorithm. After all, the person who takes such delight in being the sole employee of The Greeters’ Guild – the leading institution for “non-consensual customer service” – was the one who had filled the venue that night.

I was far from disappointed to find that the 75-minute set was a beautiful, chaotic journey into his world of bemused complimentees, Scrabble-scored names, and cheerful interactions outside shops. From his humble beginnings outside a TK Maxx in Macclesfield – wishing people a pleasant shopping experience before being removed by security – to complimenting athletes on their way to compete, the whole show was a purple blaze of quickfire ridiculousness, delivered and received with genuine joy.

The thing that truly struck me, having seen a fair amount of comedy over the years, is that at no point did Mr Hawke punch down. Even when there was the slightest implication that someone might not be the cleverest person in the world, it was quickly followed up with something wonderful and kind to show their worth in other ways. 

I have always tried to offer compliments to people, both in my shop and in more public spaces, but in these challenging times, it was lovely to have a reminder of the happiness that can be spread through kind words. Coupled with cry-laughing at Troy Hawkes’ quick wit and distinguished brand of silliness, it was a perfect night out in Canterbury.

Troy Hawkes’ performance formed part of the Canterbury Festival in October 2025.