Fresh off a sold-out North American tour, Rob Anderson is bringing his comedy show to Soho Theatre in London!

Taking on the role of a young scientist, Rob tries to get a better understanding of the homosexual species in different cities by pulling data from the audience. Rob also shares his own personal stories that he’s kept far away from the internet. It comes highly recommended for anyone who’s witnessed gay sex, or is doing serious research on the subject.

Rob Anderson is a comedian best known for his Gay Science series, where he answers serious LGBTQ+ questions like ‘Why can’t gays sit in a chair properly?’ or ‘Why don’t lesbians have electricity in their movies?’ He also wrote The Fergamerican National Anthem, a best-selling picture book based on Fergie’s infamous National Anthem performance. He was in Book of Queer (Discovery+) and was recently named one of OUT Magazine’s 100 most influential LGBTQ+ people of 2022.

Who is Rob Anderson and how do you identify?

I’m a gay man and a comedian based in NYC.

Tell us some things about yourself to get to know you better.

Most people know me for the comedy sketches I make online (Gay Science, Boyfriend Twins). I also have written a few comedy books, including a picture book inspired by Fergie’s performance of the National Anthem, which became a bestseller. I just wrapped up my first North American comedy tour in 22-cities with 36-sold out shows, and now I’m bringing it to Europe!

What shall we expect from the show?

It’s a stand up comedy show about gay sex. There’s also music, presentations, and personal stories – but what I’ve been enjoying most is having conversations with audience members through the show! I live for some of the shit people say and I’m obsessed with learning how gay perspectives change based on what city I’m in.

All your performances in London are already sold out.  How do you feel about this?

I’m thrilled! I’d love to take absolutely all the credit but the Soho Theatre is a lot of the reason. It’s a place with a great reputation, but it’s also in a prime location and gay guys really don’t want to leave their neighborhoods.

Is it going to be the first time performing here?

I’ve been to London a bunch as a homosexual, but this will be my first time as a performer. 

Are you nervous about the British audience?

Much less nervous, actually. I connect with British people on so many levels, self-depreciation being one of them. They also get a joke. Having to spell out a joke or remind someone that you’re not being serious happens less around a British person.

What is the craziest reaction you ever had from a fan?

I’ve actually never had a crazy reaction (yet)! The people I’ve met doing my tour are really excited and happy to be there, but they aren’t unhinged. Some people have worn homemade Gay Science t-shirts and hats to my shows but that’s all part of the fun. I love that shit.

You are very popular in the gay community. What do you think is the reason of your success?

It’s a badge of honor! I started making videos during the pandemic, so I think that’s a huge part of it. People were looking for a laugh. But I think the sweet spot was making content that LGBTQ+ people can relate to, like the community jokes we’ve seen online for ages, and putting a little bit of a spin on it. Instead of making a joke about tops and bottoms, I like to make the joke about how dumb it is to categorize ourselves like that. I also make fun of our community with a lighter touch. Some circles of the internet will make you think that the gay community is a cesspool, and while it certainly can be, its our cesspool and we should love being a part of it.

Did you ever think that Gay Science would lead to this success?

Not at first! It was a one-off sketch about gay guys loving iced coffee, but after I quickly found the magic I knew I had a lot of Gay Science material in me. There are many gay stereotypes that are so ridiculous, from the ones we were bullied over as kids (the way we talk, the way we run) and others we literally made up ourselves (why gay guys can’t sit in a chair properly). I wanted to have fun showing how absurd they were by proving them correct, with “fake” science. I mix in my love for science by putting real scientific principles in the sketches, but they also give LGBTQ+ all the power back. You can laugh at yourself while also feeling good about who you are.

When did you start performing and how did your career evolve in the last years?

I’m a musical theater kid with a film degree, so I grew up making short videos and performing on stage. I moved to Chicago after college and trained at The Second City, iO, and The Annoyance for improv comedy. I was an improv comedian there for seven years performing at all the big spots. But a professional improv career is not a reliable one. Gigs are short and they rarely pay (sometimes the performer had to front money) so I eventually left that all together and moved to NYC to start working for a media company, and I was quite good at it! I moved from a social media coordinator to the head of marketing in almost four years. Then when the pandemic hit I put my film, improv, and marketing skills together to make this new little career for myself.

Is dating more difficult now that people in our community recognise you?

No matter who you are, dating as a gay person is hard. Period. But yes, now there are new difficulties to manage! I don’t really date right now. I’ve been lucky to have some great relationships in my 20’s and early 30’s to hold me over for a little bit while I’ve put 100% into my comedy career. I love my career so much I would have been a horrific partner during the first two years of getting it off the ground. But right now, the hardest part is a natural integration as you get to know someone. If someone’s cute and we exchange info, someone can immediately just do a deep dive on all my content, while I still know very little about them. It just starts everything with this really weird imbalance. 

What do you answer to those who accuse you of stereotyping and thirstrapping?

Wait are thirst traps a crime now? Do you know a good lawyer?  Αs far as stereotyping, some people just don’t grasp the (relatively obvious) concept behind Gay Science and that’s fine! But I don’t waste my energy on the people who don’t understand what I’m doing, I give it to the people who do! 

How has social media boosted your career?

Social media is wild. When I first started posting videos, I would post one or two, and people would say “I’m seeing you everywhere!” It’s all completely out of your control, for better or worse.

Get tickets here: https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/rob-anderson-heartthrob-live/