Tom Rosenthal: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am

If you're looking for something to do next month, Tom Rosenthal is bringing his new stand-up show, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am, to the Komedia Basement. It’s happening on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with the show starting at 7:30 PM. Doors open an hour earlier, at 6:30 PM, at the familiar venue on Gardner Street. Rosenthal is probably best known around here for playing Johnny Goodman in Friday Night Dinner or Marcus in Plebs, and this show marks his return to stand-up following his critically-received 2019 show, Manhood.

The title itself is a nod to the Arctic Monkeys album, which sets the stage for the show's main theme: the tension between the public's expectation of him and his own artistic path. He often finds himself dealing with people shouting lines from his TV characters, and the material explores the difficulty of evolving beyond those roles. He uses his status as a semi-famous actor to explore identity labels, diving into routines about his recent diagnosis of autismo, his Jewish identity, and even the bizarre world of Wikifeet. He also touches on being a 'Nepo Baby' and references his father, Jim Rosenthal, often in a self-deprecating way. Specific routines mentioned include 'Wimbledon' and 'Daniel Radcliffe', suggesting a set that covers a wide range of personal and observational topics.

The show has been touring the UK and Ireland since late 2025 and has gathered a range of reviews, having been presented at the Edinburgh Fringe. It received high praise, including four and five stars from some critics, though others noted that the material could feel 'fragmented' or 'bitty' despite having strong individual routines. If you plan on going, the Komedia Basement offers unreserved cabaret seating, and they have a snack menu available. Just remember that this is an Ages 16+ event, meaning it is aimed squarely at an adult audience.