The character is well-drawn, the premise rich, and the satirical intent clear.
Roger Prick: The Book Tour is the debut solo show from Han Whyte, a drag king, stand-up, and character comedian who was a finalist in Leicester Square Theatre’s Sketch Off 2025, writes Luigia Minichiello.
At its heart, the work in progress show is an absurd satire: a washed-up 1970s erotic novelist, Roger Prick, drinks a toxic pint in a pub and suddenly finds himself catapulted forward into 2025. Here, he attempts to promote a “revised” version of his sleazy old novel, now supposedly reworked for The Awake Generation — available, naturally, in paperback, hardback, and bare back.
It’s a knowingly grotesque concept, skewering both the sexism of the 70s publishing world and the uneasy attempts of old-school men to adapt to post-#MeToo values. The show promised a mix of character comedy, feminist satire, and cabaret chaos — with visual gags, dodgy drawings, and audience interaction — and the ambition of that blend certainly comes across.
The evening opened with a video reel establishing the backstory. Unfortunately, not all the audience could see or hear the film clearly, which meant some were left behind before the narrative had even begun. This pointed to a recurring issue: the execution didn’t always match the sharpness of the concept. For example, Roger’s repeated insistence that “we are here in 1975” felt unnecessary once the premise was clear, and the continual tongue-licking, intended as a mannerism, added little to the comedy.
Some jokes also missed their target. A line about car seat belts and crashes baffled both myself and my guest, while the readings from Roger’s updated books, though mildly amusing, quickly became repetitive. The satire of 70s sexism would land more effectively if grounded in stronger knowledge of the period: cultural touchstones such as Operation Yewtree scandals or even nostalgic details like shrinking Wagon Wheels could sharpen the parody.
Audience interaction was another uneven area. Whyte’s Roger sometimes struggled to spin off-the-cuff comments into laughs. Where it did work was with the sketches and drawings that hinted at comic territory worth exploring further. This suggests the cabaret elements — costume, props, visual chaos — might ultimately be the show’s strongest card.
As it stands, Roger Prick: The Book Tour is a mildly amusing work-in-progress with flashes of potential. The character is well-drawn, the premise rich, and the satirical intent clear. With tighter writing, greater variety, and more confident stagecraft, Roger could yet transform from a lecherous throwback into a cult comedy favourite.
