Jack Rooke presents his acclaimed comedy-theatre show 'Good Grief', a retrospective of his debut work co-written with his Nan, exploring themes of grief, ambition, and class.
Jack Rooke is bringing his show Good Grief to The Old Market in Brighton this October. It’s a bit of a milestone for him, marking ten years since he first performed the show at the Edinburgh Fringe back in 2016. If you’ve followed his work, particularly Big Boys, you might find this interesting as it’s the original material that helped shape that later success. He’s revisiting the show now, blending the original script—which he famously co-wrote with his 80-year-old Nan, Sicely—with new reflections on how his life and career have shifted over the last decade. It’s essentially a look back at his transition from a spoken word artist to a television writer, all while navigating themes like class, ambition, and personal loss.
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The show is directed by Gabriel Bisset-Smith and is scheduled for two nights at The Old Market, specifically the 13th and 14th of October 2026. It’s worth noting that this is a 16+ event, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to go. The content deals with some heavy subjects, including grief and suicide, alongside some lighter cultural touchstones like the 1998 departure of Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls. It’s a mix of theatre and comedy that tries to find a bit of hope in difficult topics. As for the logistics, tickets are priced at £24, plus a £2 booking fee. There is also a concession option available for those under 30, priced at £5, though that’s subject to availability and you’ll need to bring ID to verify your age.
Rooke has mentioned that he feels fortunate to be touring this debut show again, especially given how much it influenced his later writing. It’s not often you get to see a performer revisit their early work with the perspective of ten years of experience. Whether you’re a fan of his recent TV projects or just interested in autobiographical theatre that tackles social issues with a bit of humour, it’s a specific kind of show that sits somewhere between a retrospective and a new piece of writing. If you’re around Brighton in mid-October, it’s an option to consider if you’re looking for something that balances personal storytelling with a bit of cultural commentary.
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