Julio Torres, former Saturday Night Live writer and star of the HBO series Fantasmas, brings his awkward, imaginative wit to the stage at Soho Theatre. Seated at a desk with his sketchbook and crayons, he begins a whimsical lecture on colour theory.
What you learn from Torres is that blue represents law and order, red stands for anger and rage, and yellow evokes childlike happiness. From these primary colours, he builds a symbolic language that extends into secondary shades. He uses these associations to tell stories like describing the airport as navy blue while recounting the time he was detained for not having a travel visa.
It’s clear the audience is familiar with his work; their muffled laughs often precede his punchlines. His creativity and imagination shine through as he constructs vivid, emotionally resonant images. For instance, violet is “mystery” – she’s the “stepmother”, whereas lilac is simply “mother.”
The show is consistent, and though it sticks to one topic, you are never bored – in fact you want to hear more. Alongside his millennial delivery, which is central to his comedic style, Torres’ performance is accentuated by subtle side-eyes and naturally sarcastic expressions that have the audience cackling. His expressions and timing provoke laughter effortlessly, without relying on physical comedy – though he does let us know that it’s something he’s perfectly capable of.
What sets Torres apart from other comedians is not necessarily his style, nor is it his ability to connect with the audience, but it is his unique approach to comedy. He is not just standing on stage telling stories and jokes; he has actually gone ahead and curated an experience. His imagination and whimsy flow throughout, which is what makes his show feel more than just a night of comedy. Torres builds a world on stage that’s both humorous and artistically rich, where comedy becomes a medium for wonder.
Featured Image: credit (c) Joe Caster.
Review by Rim Alkaiat
Read Rims latest in the series Review: A Stand-Up Hour with Rohan Joshi: Getting There (But Not Quite) – 2-9 August, Soho Theatre – Abundant Art
Full Feature can be accessed here Soho Theatre Speaks: The New Language of Stand-Up- Julio Torres, Rohan Joshi, and the Art of Laughing Differently – August 2025 – Abundant Art
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