Adam Bromley: Irrational Optimist is a comedy show about how the end of the world might be nigh, but it always helps to have a positive attitude.

Adam was a catastrophist: he’d leave his flat and worry that he’d left the gas on and the place would burn down. He’d hurry back, fearing the worst, only to remember the kitchen hob was induction. Every time he took a car journey, there would be a nagging fear it would end in a devasting pile-up, a train journey would end in derailment, a plane journey would feature a traumatic experience. The disasters didn’t happen. Yes, trains broke down, one plane’s flaps failed returning from Turkey and Adam led a passenger revolt to get a different flight, but it was still better than he feared.

The anxiety didn’t stop Adam functioning in the world, though he self-medicated with drugs, alcohol and obsessional exercise. The intense bouts of exercise were to offset the drugs and alcohol, which he also worried would cause an early death.

Then something truly awful did happen, ironically something Adam had never even contemplated. But the world didn’t end things got very bad and then they got better.

This show is a comedy journey from catastrophism to irrational optimism. What’s irrational about optimism? Check out the news. The planet’s heating up, Western culture is declining, birth rate is collapsing. In summary, we’re toast. But who doesn’t like toast. Adam explores his own fears, anxieties and new-found optimism. Banish the gloom with this celebration of the power of positivity.

August 30, 2025    One4Review

Adam Bromley comes with pedigree. An award-winning comedy producer with years in radio, he knows his way around structure and timing. With Irrational Optimist he turns that craft on himself, delivering a surprisingly comforting wander through existential dread — all with the air of a man who’s shrugged, sighed, and decided to grin at the apocalypse.
Bromley knows the end of the world is coming. He’s rehearsed it, catalogued it, made lists. What follows is less sermon, more survival guide from someone whose brain doesn’t just overthink — it spills out every worst-case scenario and then laughs at itself. Catastrophism wrapped in cautious cheer; Armageddon with a wink.

His crowd work is smart — curious rather than showy — which lets the room lean into the slightly skewed tone. Audience fears get folded into the mix: craft beer, dodgy ancestry, AI-generated nightmares, even a collective stab at surviving the collapse. The flag routine, where the crowd literally signals their responses, is clever, low-tech, and lands well. And the dragon-slaying bit? It’s daft, theatrical, and a highlight.

It’s a fun, early-afternoon show that doesn’t demand too much but delivers plenty back. Bromley weaves nervous energy into something both funny and oddly reassuring — not life-changing, but solid, like a decent record spun at the right speed.

All told, Irrational Optimist is thoughtful, well-structured, and likeable. Bromley might not save the world, but for an hour he makes the end of it seem strangely manageable. Just get there early — the seats fill up faster than you think. Click Here For Review