list.co.uk/festival Aaron Barschak ●●●●● In this monstrosity of a show, Barschak’s tasteless jokes – crudely handling ‘shock- factor’ issues such as the Holocaust, terrorism and incest – are made worse only by his self-delusional conviction that he is vaguely humorous, and the fact you are paying for the privilege. Are you going to hell? He demands to know. No, no, Aaron, I’m fairly sure I’m already there. (Rebecca Ross) The Merchants’ Hall, 220 5911, until 31 Aug, 10.15pm, £8 (£5). Abi Roberts ●●●●● There’s little doubt that Roberts can sing and her range of styles is wide but there’s not much in the way of comedic writing here. Her show whizzes through her life story and along the way she throws out a myriad of impressions of singers with the comedy in between generally consisting of her slating them. Still, she got some laughs from the crowd and her ‘All that Jazz’, performed in Russian, was genuinely entertaining. (Marissa Burgess) Underbelly, 08445 458 252, until 30 Aug, 10.45pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50). Adams & Rea ●●●●● These girls have got music in their blood, capable as they are of switching effortlessly from pop to rock and rap via medieval ballad and Japanese folk song. But while their playing of guitar, ukulele and banjo impresses, it’s not clear whether or not Adams and Rea have funny bones; their links between comic songs being brief, arbitrary and only mildly amusing. (Miles Fielder) Pleasance Dome, 556 6550, until 30 Aug, 7.30pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7–£8). Alistair Barrie ●●●●● Towards the end of his show, Barrie alludes to his self-perceived status as a comedy underdog, but that assertion is betrayed by the previous hour of assured material. Frequently plunging into well-rehearsed staccato rants, he handles his topics with a confident, caustic wit. His diffidence is buoyed by a lively audience, although he elicits chuckles rather than belly laughs. (Murray Robertson) The Tron, 226 0000, until 30 Aug, 7.40pm, £5. Andrew Maxwell ●●●●● With many a comedian taking the new offender route, Maxwell proves it’s possible to be sharp and boundary- nudging without simply being obnoxious. A friendly presence onstage, our Irish raconteur has the crowd eating from the palm of his hand, amusing with material that could be pedestrian coming from a lesser comedian but which sparkles due to charm and wit aplenty. (Emma Newlands) Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 31 Aug, 9pm, £14–£15 (£12.50–£13.50); 28 Aug, 11.15pm, £15 (£13.50). Bec Hill ●●●●● Bec Hill is great fun. Her energetic romp through the world of superheroes – the necessary requirements, pitfalls, and her own attempts to be one – is fun more than funny, but she certainly can entertain with the banter and inventiveness of a burgeoning comic talent. Seemingly the most heroic person in the room, I was made honorary sidekick. Have your good deeds at the ready. (Kate Gould) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 31 Aug, 3.15pm, £8–£9 (£7–£8). Carey Marx ●●●●● Marx offers a relatively fresh take on that peculiarly British obsession with doom and gloom
Festival ComedyAt A Glance
Andrew Maxwell
in a routine that takes in everything from global warming to fisting cows, Susan Boyle’s hair and bum sex while trampolining. While his writing betrays an inquiring intelligence, his set is undermined at points by the rather one- note delivery, with some of his rants taking a rambling, circuitous route to the punchline, and his string of Jesus on the cross jokes falling flat. (Allan Radcliffe) The Stand II, 558 7272, until 30 Aug, 7.45pm, £8 (£7). Colm O’Regan ●●●●● You can just about hear the voice of David O’Doherty in your ears every time O’Regan pulls out another charming anecdote or dwells on a whimsical image or two. This softly-spoken young comic claims to have written some alternative Mills & Boon and ponders what a real man should be like. The set is a little scattergun, but there’s an effortless talent abounding here which will be a sight to behold when the writing allows him to fly. (Brian Donaldson) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 30 Aug, 8.15pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7.50–£8.50). Daniel Rigby ●●●●● Despite the musical pieces proving fresh and genuinely funny, there is something classically British about Rigby’s frenzied and wilfully bizarre one-man character sketch show. The forceful pace brings a certain shambolic charm to proceedings; indeed we could happily see more of his unscripted asides; the odd flirt with the derivative notwithstanding, Rigby maintains an uncanny talent for wrong- footing his audience. (Mark Edmundson) Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 31 Aug, 6pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7–£8). Dead Cat Bounce ●●●●● Taking the idea of musical comedy to the extreme, these Irish lads not only perform sketches but are a four-piece band too. It’s nicely presented but much of the actual comedy hasn’t a lot of substance, instead relying on the music to carry it through. That said there are a few genuinely inventive moments and the overall effect is enjoyable. (Marissa Burgess) Gilded Balloon Teviot 622 6552, until 30 Aug, 10.30pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7.50–£8.50). Des Bishop ●●●●● Spending his teenage years in Ireland after growing up in New York has not only given Bishop a mongrel accent, but a complex mix of Queens confidence and Blarney charm all wrapped in a self-effacing confusion. It’s a confusion that invades the intimate moments of his life, as his fears become genuine, creating a show of empathy, if not quite originality. (Thomas Meek) Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 30 Aug, 8.45pm, £11–£12 (£10–£11). Elis James ●●●●● Join Welshman James for an endearingly tentative foray into the world of sex, drugs and rock’n’rollercoasters. The Welsh comic makes a confident stand-up debut with an engagingly honest hour of chit chat. In places, he is a touch rough and ready but overall cuts a charming figure of sharp yet straightforward quipping that puts James firmly on the list of ones to watch. (Rebecca Ross) The GRV, 226 0000, until 30 Aug, 8.20pm, £5. Eric’s Tales of the Sea ●●●●● Even if you’re not in the least interested in life aboard a submarine, this is thoroughly recommend.Breathtaking, poignant, suspenseful, and hilarious, Eric’s tales are enthralling, told by a gifted storyteller who will draw you into the murky depths of his world. Self- deprecating and never boastful, he gives an account of the bravery of his fellow submariners that is moving, humbling, and comic. (Kate Gould) The Caves, 208 0882, until 30 Aug, 2.40pm, £5.
4 Poofs and a Piano ●●●●● The four poofs of Jonathan Ross’s house band are affable enough but their hour of musical comedy is suffocated by a seemingly inexhaustible supply of sexual puns. A few energetic dance routines – after which these pre-Bruno stereotypes nearly collapse with fatigue – come as a welcome break from their innuendo- soaked banter, though their sparkly, diva- esque numbers go down a treat with the crowd. (Yasmin Sulaiman) Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 30 Aug, 6pm, £13–£14 (£11.50–£12.50). Fredrik Lloyd ●●●● You can see what Lloyd was aiming for with this unlikely account of bionic boy turned super featherweight cage fighter. He’s meant to represent, rather than actually embody, a deluded, YouTube fixated waif holding court with tall tales, but the performance is blessed with neither the presence nor charisma to carry it off. (Mark Edmundson) The Caves, 208 0882, until 30 Aug, 1.30pm, £8–£9 (£6–£7). Gary Little ●●●●● Having served a year in Barlinnie, Little should really have more to say than this. Storytelling is not his forte and what should be top drawer material for a comedian is muddied by poor delivery and structure. Constant digressions don’t help matters, nor does a meandering fart story that long outstays its welcome. (Murray Robertson) The Stand III & IV, 558 7272, until 30 Aug, 9.45pm, £7 (£6). Greg Behrendt ●●●●● This is the American comedian’s UK debut and comes on the back of his co-writing success with He’s Just Not That Into You. Behrendt describes the gig as like a date where he’ll ‘talk about himself without listening to you’. While he’s overflowing with confidence, with such predictable material, we probably wouldn’t be calling him back. (Gordon Eldrett) Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 31 Aug, 7.40pm, £12–£13 (£11–£12). Guy Incognito ●●●●● A series of sketches set over one public school term, the former BBC New Talent Pick of the Fringe act has a more interesting conceit than material. Though wonderfully empathetic at times (the English teacher defining ‘love’ nearly brought tears, not laughter), and unique in developing a narrative, it’s a muddled execution that feels unfinished. (Thomas Meek) Pleasance Dome, 556 6550, until 31 Aug, 5.40pm, £8–£9 (£6.50–£7.50). Ivan Brackenbury ●●●●● Saying you prefer a band’s early material may be a cliché but this year’s ‘all-new’ hospital radio show makes 2008’s Brackenbury- induced tears of laughter seem like a dream that can never be recaptured. The inappropriate song choices are still there as are the often-amusing ailment-themed gags, but the addition of a ‘patient’ in the studio is one that needs an emergency surgical removal. (Emma Newlands) Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 31 Aug, 6.40pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50). Jason Byrne ●●●●● The Fringe just wouldn’t be the same without our favourite angry Irishman. This year’s offering is more hysterical rantings, more rubbish magic and the heart-warming wonderment of a hyperactive child. At times the energy seems to dip below his normal stratospheric levels, but Byrne
27 Aug–10 Sep 2009 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 79