Category Archives: Comedy

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – The Birthday Party: A Theatrical Catastrophe, Miss Brexit, Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence, LEI – LDN, and Rusk

Posted on by

The Birthday Party: A Theatrical Catastrophe, The Space at Surgeons’ Hall.4-starsLos Angeles-based British actor Nick Ullett reminisces about the time he got a job in the Geffen Playhouse production of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party in 2014. This would be a dream job as he’s always wanted to appear in this play, which would be directed by legendary film director William Friedkin. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot actually! Nick’s funny and informative talk is full of wonderful anecdotes and insights into some of theatre’s bigwigs coming to grips with Pinter’s landmark play. They say the show must go on – but Nick’s story tests that theory to the limit! A thoroughly entertaining and personal narration. 4 stars.

Miss Brexit, Underbelly Bristo Square.Do you remember a certain referendum from 2016? Created by David Cameron to shut up the anti-Europe faction of the Conservative Party? The one that was only ever meant to be purely advisory? Watching the projections of news headlines at the time of the Brexit vote on the screen before the show started, I thought I was going to sit angrily all through the show. But within a minute of its starting, I was in hysterics. Miss Brexit is the most hilarious and inventive satire of a political act that I thought was beyond satire. Four wannabe Brits, from Spain, Catalonia, Switzerland and Portugal, compete for the title of Miss Brexit, which will give them the right to remain in the UK; the other three will be summarily deported. But this is not just a campy fun excuse for a beauty parade, it emphasises the plight that overseas workers face in the UK, with exploitation, inadequate housing and xenophobia. The MC puts our contestants through some humiliating experiences in an attempt to win the crown, with a truly witty script, some extremely funny songs and five stunning performances by Alba Villaitodo, George Berry, Maxence Marmy, Ricardo Ferreira and Shivone Dominguez Blascikova. Mr Berry’s quick-thinking ad-libs with the crowd and Ms Villaitodo’s tremendous physical comedy are extra highlights. You laugh all the way through, even if you hate yourself for doing so. 5 stars.

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence, Assembly George Square Studios.What I know about netball can be written on the back of sports shirt, but fortunately, we’re in the company of the Dunsinane Hellhounds, with Coach Duncan trying her hardest to choose the best captain to lead the team for the first game in the season. When she chooses Chloe Macduff, Mac Beth is not best pleased. Will she take this rejection lying down? What do you think?! Courtney McManus, Ana Ferreira Manhoso and Bec Price have written a very funny and engaging musical that not only conveys the sense of being part of a sports team but also is a very clever parody of Macbeth, with so many Shakespearean references sneaking in throughout the whole show. Energetically and powerfully performed, with some great characterisations – from loyal Summer Banquo to thick Brooke Ross, and Mia Porter, Macduff’s cousin, brought in from their arch enemy, the Birnam Owls. An excellent opportunity to see Macbeth from another direction. Great fun, and it received a huge reception from the very full house. A palpable hit! (Oops, wrong Shakespeare). 5 stars.

LEI – LDN, Pleasance Courtyard.4-stars From NY to LA? Not quite! Na-Keisha Pebody tells the vibrant story of 17 year old Chardaye, growing up half Jamaican and half English in Wigston, Leicester, and the journey that takes her from LEI to LDN, in other words from the Highcross Shopping Centre to the Westfield Shopping Centre Stratford. With a much-loved father who took care of her, a distant mother with whom she was never close and a well-meaning but strict aunt, she’s never alone but nevertheless has to learn to fend for herself. She also needs to discover her own identity and become comfortable who she is. Na-Keisha gives a lively, exciting, unpredictable performance, involving the audience in many unexpected ways in this very well-written and structured show that showcases her tremendous talents. Enormous fun and thought-provoking, you may even get to dance with her! 4 stars.

Rusk, Greenside @ George Street.3-starsTo most Brits, a Farley’s rusk is one of those things you give babies on which to try out their first teeth – softish, slightly biscuity, and delicious. Once a Farleyman, always a Farleyman, as the advert used to go. Nik Narain’s Rusk is not only the title of his show but the biscotti-type snack that you dunk in your tea. Is it a biscuit, or is it a cake – or is it somewhere between the two? Comedy with a science background and from a queer angle, Nik tells us about his journey that has brought him to where he is today, as a Rusk-like Indian trans man living in North Carolina. On the way, there are several comedy highlights including running the closet for the LGBTQ+ department at university, the link between the Edinburgh Fringe and Costco, and the possibility of bisexual cows. Nik has a very warm and friendly style that welcomes you and puts you at ease as he delivers his clever material with confidence and fluidity. There were a few American references that went over my head, but there were also several Americans in the audience who found them very funny – so that must be a good sign! An enjoyable and entertaining hour. 3 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Ah-Ma, Trust Me, I’m from Essex, Rachel Morton-Young: Dutch Courage, Some Masterchef Sh*t, Nick It for Munich, Jason Thurston’s Acting MasterClass with Jason Thurston, and Cody and Beau: A Wild West Story

Posted on by

Ah-Ma, The Space at Niddry Street.What defines us as a person? Is it the name on our birth certificate, or the fingerprints on our hands? And when someone slowly falls into dementia, does that reduce who they are, or does the true person live on in the memories and genes of their relatives? Cathy Lam’s intensely moving and powerful play about her long-lasting bond with her grandmother, both as a child who could not bear to be separated from her, and as an adult now living the United States but always keeping touch, is a finely and delicately written piece, given a stunningly eloquent performance by Kasen Tsui. An elegant account of coming to terms with separation and dementia. Take your tissues, it’s an emotional experience! 5 stars.

Trust Me, I’m from Essex, Greenside @ George Street.4-starsAhhh, Sarfend-on-Sea, the stuff that dreams are made on. Everyone’s got their own opinion of what an Essex girl is like – and sometimes the stereotype fits. But Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett is no ordinary Essex girl. She takes us on a journey from her childhood, with an abusive father and being bullied at school, to University in London, with its dubious night life, through a series of personal tragedies but eventual happiness, not in Shoeburyness but in Los Angeles. Trust Me I’m From Essex is a smartly written, endlessly fascinating story full of great characterisations and witty songs. Complemented by effective and amusing screen projections, Lindsay is an engaging performer who draws you into her life, loves and laughs, while never obscuring life’s darker side. A very satisfying show! 4 stars.

Rachel Morton-Young: Dutch Courage, Laughing Horse at the Raging Bull.4-starsDespite being born and raised in England, Rachel Morton-Young has lived for the past twenty-six years in the Netherlands. Her grandmother lived there until she came to England with a British soldier at the end of the Second World War. Now Rachel sees herself as living out the life her grandmother could have had, if she had stayed! It’s so refreshing to watch a comedy show that’s devoted to one particular subject – a comparison of the way of life between the UK and the Netherlands – because all Rachel’s material has the benefit of being totally original. And the differences between the two countries are surprisingly substantial, from the methods of making tea to the ins and outs of sex education; from the way you wrap a present to the Santa Claus/Sinterklaas rituals. Rachel is a very engaging and warm presence on stage, who puts you at ease and sets up a superb rapport with the audience. She is also a master storyteller of all her hilarious anecdotes. Extremely funny and well worth prioritising in your afternoon Fringe plans! 4 stars.

Some Masterchef Sh*t, Greenside @ George Street.4-starsAdam and Luke meet up at a café. Adam seems confident, Luke seems tongue-tied; this must be a tentative first date, right? However, as their meeting develops, we realise something stranger is being proposed – something that could have far-reaching consequences for both. An extremely inventive and original concept for the play, Some Masterchef Sh*t leads you up several garden paths before finally revealing its truth. Smart and witty writing by Liam High matched by two excellent performances from George Miller and Harry Freeman. If you want to see a play with a very different kind of plot twist, this is the one for you! 4 stars.

Nick It for Munich, Greenside @ George Street.4-starsJamie’s big dream is to attend the opening match of the 2024 Euros – Scotland versus Germany in Munich. His dad had promised that the whole family would go to the Euros the next time Scotland qualified. But the timing isn’t good – his mum is in hospital and she’s not doing well. Nevertheless, there must be a way to realise his dream… Aric Hanscomb-Ryrie has written a heartwarming boys’ own adventure of football-mad Jamie’s attempt to get there for the match, and he gives an energetic and endearing performance, full of physicality and humour. You desperately want Jamie to succeed with his quest – and also get home safely! An escapist and engrossing production that’s great fun. 4 stars.

Jason Thurston’s Acting MasterClass with Jason Thurston, The Space at Niddry Street.We gather as an audience hungry for insights and tips from master actor Jason Thurston; however, Jason himself turns out to be one of the most inept actors and useless teachers you’ll ever encounter. Fortunately, he has assistance from actor Kia Quinn-Cortez and film director Francis Marpoon, as well as his super-agent Alan Hawkspebble. It’s a fun idea and there are several very funny sequences – my favourite was the flamboyantly vain Marpoon directing Jason and Kia in a love scene from the audience seats, when Jason cannot follow any of his direction. Sadly, though, the show never quite takes off. I realise Thurston is meant to be a hopeless character, but I felt they could make him even more extreme; Hawkspebble also comes across as a rather bland character. Thurston’s teaching segments are (deliberately) lame drivel, but each little scene goes nowhere and rarely produces a big laugh. We were a small audience and I am sure it would go down better with a larger crowd, but, despite some good performances, this didn’t really work. 2 stars.

Cody and Beau: A Wild West Story, The Space on The Mile.Cody plays with his toy Cowboys and Indians while Beau panics that it’s 9:45pm and he isn’t ready for curtain up – setting a delightfully meta tone in this extraordinarily inventive play. The two best pals in Gonzales, Texas, get so carried away with their love for Wild West Heroes that they plan to escape from home and find Billy The Kid. There’s a magical childish pleasure in seeing them make their devious plan, including breaking into a house to steal a map, and acquiring all the food and supplies for their perilous quest; and as they run away, the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred as Cody and Beau face the real challenges of the Wild West. Dylan Kaeuper and Will Grice have created a truly exciting and escapist fantasy that takes us back to when we were kids, and portray their young adventurers with affection, courage and a genuine sense of those unbreakable bonds we develop with our childhood best friends. I was blown away with the magic of it all. One of this Fringe’s must-see shows. 5 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Big Little Sister, Don’t Tell Dad About Diana, Odds Are, Ross Leslie: Now Is The Time, Max Fulham: Full of Ham, and Sauna Boy

Posted on by

Big Little Sister, Zoo Playground.4-starsI’d never heard of the concept of the Glass Child; it’s when a child in a family is completely overlooked because they have a sibling with much greater needs, and who takes all the attention. Holly Gifford’s older brother Patrick has cerebral palsy and learning disabilities and, in this deeply personal account, she shares the multi-layered coping strategies that both child Holly and adult Holly adopted to deal with this situation. Cleverly structured and powerfully written, Big Little Sister is a welcome insight into living with disabilities when you yourself are not the disabled one. An excellent show that packs a punch. 4 stars.

Don’t Tell Dad About Diana, Underbelly Cowgate.Best friends Conor and Hannah have grown up together in Dublin, always promising to tell each other everything, and with one big thing in common – the People’s Princess, Diana. They adore her. They even have a shrine to her. Hannah has been designing dresses for Conor’s appearance as Diana in the Alternative Miss Ireland competition; he’s going to win it hands down. However, something unexpected scuppers their plans… A brilliantly funny examination of friendship and fandom, ambition and honesty, performed with great panache by Hannah Power and Conor Murray. Peppered with comical insights into Dublin life and several laugh out loud moments, this is just one of those rare crazy Fringe shows that simply works on every level. 5 stars.

Odds Are, Assembly Roxy.Smita Russell’s profoundly personal memoir of her own experience of suffering the grief of multiple miscarriages sounds like it could be a recipe for an hour of total sadness. But her brightly imaginative narrative engages us from the start as she approaches the subject from a surprisingly innovative angle; the scientific and mathematical probability that any particular sequence of events could happen. Smita is a superb storyteller who brings out the joy of her story just as much as its sorrow, and the hour in her company flies by. Whilst there are necessary trigger warnings about the show’s content, it could also make it easier for people to talk more freely about this common but still taboo subject. 5 stars.

Ross Leslie: Now Is The Time, Laughing Horse at West Port Oracle.3-stars<Ross Leslie cuts an avuncular figure on stage, with a relaxed, confident delivery and a set full of original material, such as the exposure of a big family secret, his elaborate plans to commit murder* and the ins and outs of sex robotry. Originally, the show was to have a unifying theme, but that has now merged into the rest of his material, much of which stems from his home life, to create a warm hour of funny domestic and familial observations. *I’m sure he doesn’t really intend to commit murder. 3 stars.

Max Fulham: Full of Ham, Pleasance Courtyard.Max Fulham breathes fresh life into the revered and ancient art of ventriloquism by pushing its boundaries beyond using just traditional puppets; he also has a talking tin box that opens up with his intrusive thoughts, an imaginary supermarket sales assistant and – as the title of his show suggests – a piece of ham. We also meet his first ever puppet, have an informal audience with Jesus, and yes – everyone’s favourite – Grandad makes an appearance, embarrassing everyone with his hilariously inappropriate behaviour. Max Fulham is an extremely funny man who invests his characters with endless wit, energy, and total unpredictability. He’s also a crackingly good ventriloquist! A tremendously fun show. 5 stars.

Sauna Boy, The Space at Surgeons’ Hall.4-starsIt’s never been my fortune to visit a gay sauna and I suspect I never will, so it’s fascinating to hear Dan Ireland-Reeves’ semi-autobiographical account of what life is really like behind those locked doors. As Dan takes us through his usual jobs of cleaner, receptionist and his masterplan to develop the business, we meet the boss – “Mother” – his colleagues, and his clients; those he likes and those he doesn’t. With funny and imaginative storytelling, Dan leads us through plenty of escapades that make us laugh, shudder and cringe, all with a skilful lightness of touch and marvellous comic timing. Probably not suited to Great Grandma, although she’s probably seen a thing or two in her day. Extremely entertaining and surprisingly informative too! 4 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Find Me, Homo(sapien), Brainsluts, How To Kill Your Landlord, and Robin Grainger People Pleaser

Posted on by

Find Me, The Space on the Mile.3-starsOlwen Wymark’s riveting play was first performed in 1977 and is still sadly relevant today. It tells the true story of Verity Taylor, sent to Broadmoor at the age of 19 for setting light to a chair worth £6 – but that act alone doesn’t come close to illustrating all Verity’s problems, and how the medical and social service professions failed to provide her the necessary help because she fell between the cracks. Performed by the Parker and Snell Company, it boasts some good performances, especially from the actors playing Verity and her father. A tough watch in many respects, it’s important to keep this timeless play alive. 3 stars.

Homo(sapien), Assembly Roxy.4-starsFantastic first play by Conor O’Dwyer, telling the story of “Bad Gay” Joey. He’s bad for several reasons, primarily – in his eyes – because he still hasn’t had sex yet, despite countless opportunities to put that right. Conor creates a colourful cast of easily recognisable characters who all play a part in his tale. Beautifully written, with some terrific plot twists, performed by Conor O’Dwyer himself with charm and wonderful comic timing. Engrossing from beginning to end. 4 stars.

Brainsluts, Pleasance Courtyard.4-starsFour participants meet every Sunday for five weeks as guinea pigs in a clinical drugs trial, or brainsluts, as these participants are sometimes called. They must report any side effects from the drugs they are given each time. £2000 for five days’ work – not bad at all, if you need the money, and it’s a significant feature of today’s gig economy. But do they all need the money? Do they all tell the truth about themselves? Do they genuinely feel any side effects? And what motivates the supervising doctor? A hilarious script by Dan Bishop encourages great performances from all five actors. A slightly inconclusive ending – but then again, you wouldn’t know the outcomes of any drugs trial in which you were involved, so that’s only to be expected! Lovely observational comedy of these characters, each carrying their own individual private stresses. 4 stars.

How To Kill Your Landlord, Bedlam Theatre.3-starsArchie bought Joq’s Grandma’s flat when she died and he’s been a miserable old b*stard of a landlord ever since. Joq, Burke and Harriet, his unfortunate tenants, are desperate for revenge, whether driven by political ideology, love for the local foxes, or just loyalty to Grandma. But be careful what you wish for – the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley. The Young Ones meets Blithe Spirit in Meade Conway’s crazy, farcical comedy, energetically performed by its talented cast members, Frankie Weatherby, Robbie Fletcher-Hill, Elijah Khan and John Gregor. Plenty of well-executed physical comedy, and if I were to say that no landlords were harmed during this play, that would be a lie. 3 stars.

Robin Grainger People Pleaser, The Stand Comedy Club.Robin Grainger is a people pleaser. He’d give you his work lunch if you wanted it. At school, he’d aim to make the other kids laugh, even if it got him into trouble. Not that they appreciated it. People Pleaser is not the show he had planned on performing this year, but life has a way of making you change your mind, and he had Quite A Year. I won’t say more about the nature of his material, because he can tell it so much better. A Robin Grainger show is always a special event; where most other comedians deliver a recognisable standard-packaged comedy product, Mr G’s material cannot be categorised so simply. It always comes straight from the heart and from his own unique perspective. Don’t get me wrong – People Pleaser has you guffawing from start to finish with some blissfully funny sequences, such as the estate agent and the cat, or the audition from hell, all told with his unmatched timing and deliciously chosen words. He fully deserves his place amongst the top echelons of current comedians. 5 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – How to Win 5 Grand on the Internet, The City for Incurable Women, ROTUS: Receptionist of the United States, Courier, Will Owen: Looking Fab at Fifty, and Three Can Keep a Secret

Posted on by

How to Win 5 Grand on the Internet, Zoo Playground.4-starsIf you’re expecting a TED talk on how to win money online, think again. Laurence Baker managed to make a living from playing internet poker after his father died, but is that really the legacy he wants to leave behind? This fascinating piece of experimental theatre is both funny and challenging. Laurence is a splendid clown and improviser, who conveys the process of trying to express thoughts and ideas where words just don’t cut it. Some sentiments are difficult to communicate, and the play concentrates on that search to find a way through. It’s worth noting that it relies on considerable participation from the audience, although it’s easy to duck out of that if you want. Some sequences work brilliantly, others don’t entirely land, but the bravery of this performance and the experimental directions that the show takes make this constantly stimulating and intriguing fun. 4 stars.

The City for Incurable Women, Pleasance Courtyard.4-starsA fascinating history of how society in general and the medical profession in particular have treated women over the ages. Concentrating on the work of 19th century Parisian Dr Jean-Martin Charcot, a pioneering scientist and misguided busybody, actor Charlotte McBurney both conveys and lives through the cruelly harmful practices to which women have been subjected over the years – and with the continuation of medical misogyny, that’s not ending soon. An intelligent and unpredictable narrative, beautifully written by Helena McBurney, it’s not only an inspiring piece of drama, it’s fascinatingly informative too. Very slickly put together, and a technically flawless performance. 4 stars.

ROTUS: Receptionist of the United States, Gilded Balloon Patter House.3-starsChastity Quirke rules the roost outside the Oval Office in her unofficial role as receptionist of the United States. No one notices a receptionist, not even the “pretty blonde” ones, so she hears secrets that no ordinary spy could discover. Would she use these secrets to her own advantage? You betcha! But what’s that old saying about when you play with fire you get burned? Will Chastity be outsmarted and be used as a sacrificial lamb, or will she get the last laugh? A smart and engaging performance by Leigh Douglas as not only the ROTUS, but also all the other characters in this entertaining tale of political intrigue. 3 stars.

Courier, Zoo Playground.<4-starsBenny works his socks off, on his bike all day, delivering his food orders all around town. During the Covid pandemic, he sees himself as an essential worker, couriering his Deliveroo bag to whoever needs it. Benny is on a mission to deliver to 25 Swanpool Road, but it seems as though wherever he delivers, he meets Lucy, who has given him her number… What starts off as a simple celebration of the life of a Deliveroo operative takes a turn for the surreal, and Things Are Not Necessarily What They Seem. An excellent solo performance by Piers MacKenzie, cunningly but honestly written. Funny, alarming, and constantly surprising. 4 stars.

Will Owen: Looking Fab at Fifty, Assembly Roxy.4-starsAn hour of very engaging comedy with the extremely likeable Will Owen, exploring what it’s like to be a young gay man today, and how he fits in (or doesn’t) with the scene. Can Grindr help him find the man of his dreams, and even if it does, will he want to see him for a second date? Effortlessly funny, he strikes up a terrific and instant rapport with the audience, and packs tons of excellent material into his tightly written and structured set. Great fun, and I reckon Mr Owen will be One To Watch. 4 stars.

Three Can Keep a Secret, The Space on The Mile.4-starsMason invites his poker buddies Moose and Sonny over for a boys’ night of cards whilst his wife Denise goes off to Vegas with her friend Julia. The evening starts promisingly enough but things get a little tense after the first round of cards; and when Mason goes to fix some fresh drinks for the guys he gets a rather unpleasant surprise…. Three Can Keep a Secret is a comedy thriller by Gregory Crafts where the audience gets to choose which way the story develops at several important plot points, so every performance is always different, depending on the decisions made by that audience. Brought to the Edinburgh Fringe by Theatre Unleased of Los Angeles, a terrific cast keep the pace and atmosphere going with high energy and a lovely mix of fun and suspense – and also some impressive stage combat! A thrillingly entertaining end to your Fringe day! 4 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Thin Walls: (Men)tal Health, Bloody Influencers, Lianna Holston and Michael McPheat: Starter Pack, Hold the Line, Footballers’ Wives: The Musical, and The Naked Neds

Posted on by

Thin Walls: (Men)tal Health, Greenside @ George Street.3-starsThree brothers react to the death of their father in their own different ways. The oldest, Rick, retreats into his bullying shell and doesn’t allow the others to grieve. Ben, in the middle, needs therapy but refuses it, causing his own relationship to break up. The youngest, Danny, always the most emotional, comforts himself with heavy drinking and outbursts of anger, endangering his college degree. Friends try their best to support them – but there has to come a point when you must take charge of your own destiny and work your own way out of your desperation. Wabash College’s theatre department’s Thin Walls (Men)tal Health tackles the brothers’ predicament with some sensitive and witty writing and ending with a positive message. They wisely cut the story short so that at just 40 minutes, it gains in punch and pithiness. This is an ambitious production for a small stage, with a surprisingly large cast. A very moving little play. 3 stars.

Bloody Influencers, Greenside @ George Street.4-starsMeet Daisy – that’s @daisy_beautyme – a devoted Insta influencer with thousands of followers feeding her need to be loved and recognised. Just count all those clicks! Together with gamer Neil they make the perfect Influencer pair. But when Neil gets cancelled, and it’s revealed that none of this adoration is real, all the online affection just fades away. But what’s an influencer to do? They can’t just give up! Daisy Woolworth gives a brilliant performance as the bloody influencer, delightfully vacuous in her superficiality, who finally gets to realise who she really is and what matters in life. Don’t mention her super successful sister! Great fun, and with an important message for these social media times. 4 stars.

Lianna Holston and Michael McPheat: Starter Pack, Gilded Balloon Patter House.3-starsA very jolly presentation from Lianna Holston and Michael McPheat. After Lianna ascertained what I had for breakfast – not much – she was concerned that I would pass out through hunger at some time during the show. That was kind of her. Then it was over to Michael for the first half of the show, and the experience of growing up in Milton Keynes – I feel his pain – being the Gay Best Friend, and experiencing the horrors of a Baby Shower. I loved his material about his favourite aromatherapy! He then introduced Lianna’s act, which was beautifully constructed with perfectly chosen words delivered to maximum effect. She has terrific material about being a woman in a hedge fund company – not allowed anywhere near the finance – and had a nice aside about male comedians. She ends her act with some delightfully silly observations about frogs and other animals, which is much funnier than it sounds. Full of energy and very entertaining – great fun for a spot of afternoon comedy. 3 stars.

Hold the Line, Pleasance Courtyard.<3-starsHave you ever thought of what it would be like to be the person receiving the calls on 111 – the NHS non-emergency line? Gary Macgregor’s Hold The Line shows how stressful it can be, with unreasonable targets to be met at the expense of each operator’s personal time. Gary is one such operator, and on this one particular day, he faces having one client whose father dies – was Gary in any way culpable? – and another whom he tries to save from jumping in front of train. Quite the day! Well-constructed, the phones alone make you stressed! I personally didn’t care for the musical phone sequence – just not to my taste – but in all other respects well-acted by Gary and Gabi Chanova, and an eye-opening account of an aspect of the NHS that gets less recognition than it deserves. 3 stars.

Footballers’ Wives: The Musical, Assembly Rooms.3-stars<Confession time: I’ve never seen Footballers’ Wives on TV. The only character I’d heard of in the show is Chardonnay, and India Chadwick’s portrayal of her is exactly how I would imagine her. The musical, by Kath Gotts and Maureen Chadwick, is based on the plotlines of the first series, and involves infidelity, violence, more infidelity, sexual assault, and infidelity. There’s also a football team lurking in the background that doesn’t play much part in the story. The costumes are good, the voices are great and the songs are not bad, if a bit samey and predictable. This is a Marmite show; there were plenty of audience members whooping ecstatically throughout, and there were quite a lot of people who drifted out of the auditorium as it progressed, never to return. Some characters and actors were curiously underused, whilst there’s no doubt that Tanya Turner, played by Ceili O’Connor, is the star of the show and she gives an enjoyably gutsy performance. I suspect that if you enjoyed the TV series, you will love this show. If you didn’t see it, it might not mean much to you. 3 stars.

The Naked Neds, The Space at Surgeon’s Hall.4-starsFour Glaswegian pals sit around their pub table sinking pints and playing cards, and talk inevitably comes around to their missing fifth, Cammy, whose recent suicide came as a complete shock to all four of them. They want to set up a fundraiser in memory of their friend, and they can’t settle on a suitable choice until one of them suggests doing their version of The Full Monty. However, one of the four also has to confess that he has recently found a lump on his testicles but hasn’t bothered going to the doctor. Consequently they all find out about the correct way to check oneself for testicular cancer, and, despite natural reticence from one of the guys, The Full Monty goes ahead. This is a very funny, surprisingly moving play, that takes the serious subjects of suicide, mental health and testicular cancer and looks them straight in the eye, whilst never becoming either preachy or mawkish. Written, directed by and featuring Ingram Noble, the excellent ensemble of five actors put in great performances and it’s a thoroughly entertaining play. 4 stars.

 

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Dead Air, Call Me Crazy, Kanpur: 1857, The Unstoppable Rise of Ben Manager, and Chloe Petts: Big Naturals

Posted on by

Dead Air, Pleasance Courtyard.Grief affects us in many ways. Imagine you didn’t come to see your dying father in the hospital – how can you ever overcome the regret? No problem, use the new AI Air Service tool to keep in touch with loved ones beyond the grave with their varied helpful subscription services! Alfrun Rose’s one-woman show retraces the steps of her problematic relationships with her mother, her mother’s new partner and her own on-off boyfriend. But when the only person who can really give the support she needs is dead – she just has to rely on this new big business model to maintain that relationship. It’s a beautifully, touchingly written play, full of light and shade, giving all the characters in Alfie’s story their own voice and perspective. It’s also full of irresistibly funny moments of dark comedy, mixed with powerful emotions. A superb tour-de-force that keeps you riveted throughout. Hugely entertaining. 5 stars.

Call Me Crazy, Greenside @ Riddles Court.4-starsOlivia attends yet another clinic, trying to put a number to her level of pain – but will the doctors even believe her if she does? This hard-hitting intense monologue charts Olivia’s young life from her early days where she tried so hard to become invisible, and succeeded to today where she needs to be seen again and discover an identity for herself and the cause for all her pain. A fascinating insight into a woman’s struggle with the medical profession and the formative memories that led her to where she is now. Sharply written and powerfully acted by Olivia Ormond. 4 stars.

Kanpur: 1857, Pleasance Courtyard.3-starsAn Indian rebel is forced to tell their story before an audience before being strapped to a cannon as a punishment for their part in the Kanpur rebellion. But if they reveal the group’s secrets and the whereabouts of the rebel leader, they might go free. At first you think this will be a simply structured play, with the rebel telling their story – but when a British officer interrupts them and tries to direct their performance, things take a turn for the surreal. The unusual structure cleverly emphasises the imbalance of power, and it’s a powerful play, although it sometimes feels a little heavy and not always easy to follow. Perhaps lacking a sense of menace, it’s nevertheless well acted and includes an exquisite tabla performance by Sodhi. 3 stars.

The Unstoppable Rise of Ben Manager, Pleasance Courtyard.A supremely bizarre production – ostensibly, it’s a satire on generic management and asks the question, what do big successful managers do all day; and on the other hand it’s a fantasy idea allowed to run riot. A wannabe employee fakes an interview and blags an executive job – and then finds he has nothing to do all day, but at least he does it with pizzazz, so gets noticed and then gets continuously promoted beyond all his ability – not that he needs any ability to do nothing. It’s an interesting idea but it runs out of steam very quickly and becomes very repetitive and rather childish. Energetically performed, but that’s not enough to save it. Not for me. 2 stars.

Chloe Petts: Big Naturals, Pleasance Courtyard.4-starsThere’s always an air of expectation at a Chloe Petts gig – she’s rapidly becoming a bit of a national treasure. Her latest show, Big Naturals, is named in honour of what she most likes in life – cue some delightful reminiscences about Page 3 Girls and the journalistic high notes set by the likes of the Sun and the Mirror. At the heart of the show is her affiliation with the lad culture of her formative years and the debt she owes Kasabian. Lots of deliciously clever callbacks and an abundance of laughs and comic observations. Chloe Petts can always be relied on to deliver fantastic material, and Big Naturals does exactly that. 4 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Steve Whiteley: A Mind Full, MARIUPOL, Do You Accept These Charges?, Kate Owens: Cooking with Kathryn, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: Howling at the Moon, and Virtuoso

Posted on by

Steve Whiteley: A Mind Full, Just the Tonic at the Mash House.3-starsSteve Whiteley’s new show starts with a meditative pause; it’s a chance to hear the internal dialogue of all the voices in his head, setting the scene for an hour’s journey through all the mistakes of his life and their potential solutions. A true survivor, Steve cuts a very engaging figure on stage, with first-rate comic timing, some fun callbacks, and excellent self-deprecating asides. There are some extremely funny sequences – I particularly liked his material about Buddhism, and the gluten free rap is hysterical. This was the first show in the run and he made it clear it was a work-in-progress, and there is some sharpening up to be done. But he has a winning way about him and the show will only get better as the Fringe progresses. 3 stars.

MARIUPOL, Pleasance Courtyard.4-starsIt’s so easy to overlook the impact of war on ordinary families. Katia Haddad’s MARIUPOLis based on her memories of the city and tells the story of how Russian Galina and Ukrainian Igor (a.k.a. Steve) meet at a wedding reception, and then enjoy a few days of idyllic romance before real life separates them. They meet again ten years later, both now married, having moved on in their lives. When Russia invades Ukraine, both Galina and Steve have sons in the army who have to do their duty and go to war; will this bring their parents back together again one more time? This riveting, heartbreaking drama is full of surprises and features two powerful performances – Oliver Gomm as Steve and, particularly, Nathalie Barclay as Galina – and truly highlights the human cost of war. Slickly directed by Guy Retallack, this is a hard-hitting, emotion-packed play. 4 stars.

Do You Accept These Charges?, Pleasance Courtyard.Laurie Magers’ amazing firsthand account of her infatuated love affair with multi-crime felon Evan ought to be unbelievable because it is so extraordinary yet it is true. She has that rare gift of being someone with whom you feel an instant connection; within thirty seconds you’re hanging on her every word. And though her account is a sorrowful one, full of pain and heartbreak, it’s also ecstatically funny, from a disastrous Christmas Day queue to get into the detention centre to the sexual turn-on that is the ankle-tag. Laurie is an electric storyteller, pacing the delivery of her material perfectly; she says we are all her friends, and we believe her. The funniest account of being a prisoner’s girlfriend you’ll ever hear! 5 stars.

Kate Owens: Cooking with Kathryn, Underbelly Cowgate.<4-starsWe mourn the loss of our beloved Kathryn, who presented the Cookery programme on the Evangelical Community Channel every day for the past thirty or so years, and welcome the new host, her daughter, err.. also named Kathryn. Kate Owens presents us with this madcap hour of Christian cooking, terrifically slapstick and at times hysterically funny, with an obscene giblety chicken, a disastrous egg bake and the most disgusting sacramental dessert that you have to watch her eat through the gaps in your fingers. But there’s more than just physical comedy cookery cock-ups, the show also has a message about the damage that can be done to children raised in devout Christian communities. Kate Owens is a brilliantly engaging clown and there is some truly hilarious audience participation so beware if you’re a man and you sit in the front row. The comedy does run out of steam a little towards the end, but there are some genuinely side-splitting sequences as Kathryn comes to terms with all her personal limitations. 4 stars.

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: Howling at the Moon, Monkey Barrel.4-starsChristopher Macarthur-Boyd cuts perhaps an unlikely appearance for a comedian; smart suit, slick hair, Proclaimers-style glasses and slightly diminutive of stature, all rounded off with a Glaswegian accent that veers between super refined and rough as guts. His new hour of comedy, Howling at the Moon, contains neither howling nor any celestial beings, but is packed with great original material and some delightfully funny routines. He puts an original slant on the fact that both his girlfriends have been Australian; he has superb comparisons between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and he has an unusual criterion for deciding upon his sexuality. A master mimic, he has terrific authority on stage, and he keeps the energy up for the whole show. Huge fun, highly recommended. 4 stars.

Virtuoso, Assembly George Square.Meet Tobias Finlay-Fraser as he delivers yet another audition on his journey to stardom. A master of all styles and humble to his core, he never misses an opportunity to push the boundaries of artistry to a totally unacceptable limit. A brilliant comic invention by Casey Filips, to tell you more about what to expect during this hour of truly inventive comedy would be to ruin it for you. Expect the unexpected, help him on his quest to Oscardom, and save the Manatees. You’ll laugh so much it hurts. 5 stars.

Review – The Comedy Crate Weekender at the Charles Bradlaugh, The Black Prince and The Lamplighter, Northampton, 12th and 13th July 2025

Posted on by

It’s July again, which means another annual Comedy Crate Weekender with two days of comedic mayhem, split over three venues in Northampton town centre. Only £40 for two days which means you can see ten class acts for a mere £4 a session; so cheap it ought to be illegal. A very hot weekend was both a help and a hindrance, in that it makes for a generally happy bunch of people all enjoying interval drinkies in the sunshine, and fortunately the aircon in the Bradlaugh is super effective. But even being reduced to a sweaty mess in the other venues (multiple electric fans notwithstanding) was not enough to reduce the spirits of a fully sold out event, which took place without a hitch. Or if there were any hitches, the Comedy Craters kept them a secret, so well done to them.

The idea of the Weekender is that there are 25 acts, out of whom you can see a maximum of 10, all sharpening up their Works in Progress in preparation for either the Edinburgh Fringe, or a national tour, or just generally working up new material. As such you might see a show that’s already pretty darn perfect, or you could see something where the audience are guineapigs for the comics to find out what’s funny and what’s not. Mind you, they’re all ace at their game, so even material that only just fails to meet their exacting standards can still be pretty funny to the rest of us.

Everyone will have had a different experience at the Weekender, depending on which shows they chose to see, so I can only tell you about what we saw. And of course, dealing with 25 acts is potentially a nightmare of its own. If you went to see a show with a cast of 25 you wouldn’t be remotely surprised to have one or two understudies if someone is not feeling well.

And that’s exactly how our Weekender started, with the unexpected attendance of President Obonjo standing in at very last minute for Helen Bauer for the first show at the Lamplighter. Only three or so hours before he was on stage, he was enjoying tea and toast over a leisurely breakfast in his Presidential Palace; but fortunately His Excellency was able to step in and save the day. He’s not taking a show to Edinburgh but just fleshing out some new material, so of all the acts over the weekend his was perhaps the one most in flying by the seat of his pants mode.

Nevertheless, the President is such a joyously inventive comic creation, that it’s always a pleasure to have an audience with him. And his new material comes from a fascinating place; at the risk of sounding like a pensioner so much is wrong with the world today, and so much of that is because you can’t tell fact from fiction – the lies spouted by politicians and influencers, and social media claptrap and all that. Thousands of Tiktokers believe Obonjo is a real president of a real republic somewhere in Africa. And he’s moulding that fact into a rather surreal show that balances the rubbish people are led to believe against what is genuinely the truth. It’s an idea with legs, and I’m sure the President will turn it into a great show.

From one level of preparation to the extreme opposite; our next show was Thor Stenhaug with a preview of his Edinburgh show One Night Stand Baby, and this one is all packaged up and ready to rock. Thor Stenhaug is a new name to us, and, on the strength of this performance, it’s one of those delightful occasions when you can happily announce, a star is born. A hugely affable and friendly presence on stage, Thor explains how he moved to London from Norway, how he got into comedy, and all about his big relationship with Daisy. But it was when Daisy’s parents asked about Thor’s parents, that he had to confess he is the product of a one-night stand; and he’s not the only one in his family who is! Honestly, those Norwegians! His routine is packed with original material, fluidly and confidently delivered, with some wonderful appreciation for English turn of phrase, effortless callbacks, and some surprising use of accents – his Scouse is incredible! I can only predict great things for this young man. One Night Stand Baby is on at the Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh from 30 July to 24 August and will be a must-see this Fringe.

Next up for us was Toussaint Douglass, with a preview of his Edinburgh show, Accessible Pigeon Material. We’ve seen Mr Douglass a couple of times now and he is very personable and warm character on stage who builds a great rapport with the audience. His new show is very work in progress and has more surreal material than I’ve seen him use before. I must confess, I didn’t really get the pigeon-based stuff; but he has an excellent routine – that still needs work but will get there – where he uses a member of the audience and a boxing glove puppet to express how difficult it can be to get your father to tell you he loves you. Hoping it all shapes up in time for the Fringe, but he’s a great comic so I’m sure it will. Accessible Pigeon Material will be on at the Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July to 24 August.

Next was someone I’ve wanted to see for a long time, and he didn’t let me down. Charlie Baker, an irrepressibly cheeky chappie, is working up material for a new show next year. He’s one of these innately funny people who could make you laugh just by reading a shopping list. And the basis of his new show is very simple; people he hates. Not named individuals, that would be ridiculous; but categories like Retired People at the Supermarket at Weekends, or People from Surrey. You instantly get it. He fills out each of his categories with wickedly funny material, not only verbal but often physical – he’s terrific at physical comedy, even incorporating a bit of dance and singing into the routines. He has some brilliant ideas – the Devon Rat Pack for example, or my favourite, the Millwall Magician, where he basically intimidates you into agreeing that, yes, that was your card, otherwise you’d get A Visit from the Boys. Not a huge amount of material yet, but what there is, he spins into comedy gold. Fantastically funny.

Our last show of the first day was Tom Rosenthal, with a preview of his Edinburgh show, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am. I’ve only seen Mr Rosenthal once before, and that was earlier this year in Chichester’s production of The Government Inspector. I confess I haven’t seen him in Friday Night Dinner or Plebs, because I’m more of a live entertainment kinda guy than a TV watcher. However, unfortunately, quite a lot of the material in his show is based on references to those TV shows, and because I didn’t get the references, I missed out on the laughs. He’s obviously a very quick witted and intelligent fellow, and his delivery is slick and sure-footed. The set was curiously all about him, and I don’t mean that unkindly. Where many comedians take their own experiences and make them relatable so that we can all recognise our own experiences within them, Mr R’s experiences are purely about himself, without inviting us to see how we might be able to share in them. It’s as though he sets up a barrier and all we can do is observe him without feeling what he feels. I’m sure that if I had seen his shows I would have enjoyed it more, and I sense that if you are a Friday Night Dinner fan you’ll love it. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am is on at the Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh from 30 July to 24 August.

Sunday started with a preview of Glenn Moore’s new Edinburgh show, Please Sir, Glenn I Have Some Moore? and is another work in progress where pretty much all the progress has already been made. Glenn Moore has one of the fastest brains in comedy and this is another of his intricately plotted, extraordinarily creative and extremely funny hours of stand-up. His premise here is to explore why he’s not the most assertive or people, illustrated by comparing himself to his go-getting cousins, Benji the stripper and silent Ursula. The centrepiece of the show is a car journey driving to Death Valley which gets more and more panicky as it progresses, but en route Mr Moore brings in so many side jokes, some of which have a delicate subtlety that fill you with pleasure when they finally make sense. A total master of the art of callback, neither a word nor a gesture is wasted in this show and it’s a joy from start to finish. Please Sir, Glenn I Have Some Moore? is on at the Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July to 24 August.

Next up, and someone we haven’t seen in ten years, was Tiff Stevenson, with a preview of her new Edinburgh show Post-Coital. This was another work in progress performance and consisted of a sequence of only lightly connected observations, some of which were very funny, and some of which weren’t – no criticism, that’s what a WIP is all about, after all. The basis of this show is the relationship between sexism and class and where feminism falls in the balance. She has some excellent material about umarells – a term I hadn’t come across before – which describes old retired Italian men lurking at building sites and offering unwanted advice to the workers. Niche, do you think? Maybe, but also very recognisable and funny. Of all the Edinburgh previews we saw, I think this needs the most work to be done, but Tiff Stevenson is a very safe pair of hands and I’m sure it will all come together in time. Post-Coital is on at Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive) from 30 July to 24 August.

Our next act was Hal Cruttenden, with a preview of his new Edinburgh show, Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It, and is, as he freely admits, the second show he’s created out of the ashes of his divorce. But whereas his previous show It’s Best You Hear It From Me was clearly a mix of comedy and therapy, you sense now he’s truly moved on and is mining genuine comedy nuggets from how he’s been coping as a singleton. He has such an engaging and natural style on stage that you cling onto his every word – which is fortunate, because every word is hilarious. He assesses the audience for possible future divorces, and honed in on me as being the token old man in the audience having fun because you might as well because you haven’t got long. He does offer some serious observations about the way the world is going in this Trumpian era, and he’s darn right with them all. Exceptionally funny and quick to react to everything the audience might choose to throw at him, the show ends with a lovely speech by the Prime Minister that so cleverly assembles a plethora of callbacks. The only thing left for him to “get right” before Edinburgh is choosing which bits to omit, but it’s all tip-top quality. Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It is on at the Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July to 24 August.

We chose to stay in the same location for the rest of the day, so our next act was Matt Richardson, with a work in progress of a new show, Brash, that will tour the UK this autumn. We’d seen Mr Richardson quite recently, so that much of his material was not new to us but it is still incredibly funny. It’s an informal and relaxed hour of observations of village and domestic life, gang activity in an Oxfordshire village, how growing up doesn’t necessarily mean you can decide on your own bedtime and a frantically funny routine about massage that turns into what I can only describe as a wankfest. Mr R sets up a terrific rapport with the audience, tells his stories with an engaging cheekiness, and the show is filled with loads of laugh out loud sequences. A very funny chap. Brash continues with a few more WIP performances around the country and the tour starts in earnest in Glasgow on 22nd September through to Milton Keynes on 26th November.

Last show of the day, but certainly not the least, was Rosie Jones, with a preview of her work in progress Edinburgh show, I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying. As she says at the beginning of her show, if you don’t know who she is, she feels sorry for you, because you obviously can’t afford a television. Rosie gives us the lowdown on her life so far, starting off as a seven-year-old pervert – her words, not mine – and taking us through all the benefits of being both gay and disabled. She knows the importance of a perfectly constructed and worded sentence and uses her unique delivery style to accentuate the well-placed pause for maximum comic effect, and it works very well. Supremely confident and effortlessly cheeky, it’s a fun hour that will only improve with more preparation, and that is, of course, what it’s all about. I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying enjoys a week’s worth of WIPs at the Pleasance Courtyard from 11th to 17th August.

A great Weekender completed, thanks to all the comedians and the Comedy Crate maestros who keep the thing moving so well. Recommendations for Edinburgh must be for Thor Stenhaug, Glenn Moore and Hal Cruttenden, and both Charlie Baker and Matt Richardson will be must-sees on tour. In the meantime, there are still a few more Comedy Crate preview shows on sale before Edinburgh starts in a couple of weeks’ time. Snap them up before they sell out!

Review – The Comedy Crate Edinburgh Previews – Josh Pugh and Jessica Fostekew, The Lamplighter, Northampton, 7th July 2025

Posted on by

It’s exciting that July has come around again so we enter the world of Edinburgh Previews at the Comedy Crate! Monday night saw a terrific full house welcome two comedians getting their comedic ducks in a row so that they can quack with confidence when the time comes.

First up was Jessica Fostekew, whom we haven’t seen for a criminally long time, with a work-in-progress set in preparation for her Edinburgh show, Iconic Breath; an unusual title that stems from the fact that her son hasn’t quite mastered the niceties of the English language yet. Jessica Fostekew cuts an engaging, confiding persona on stage; she starts off trying to work out whether we’re her kind of people – a few subtle assessments confirms we are, to much relief on all sides.

Ms F takes us on an enjoyable amble through her family experiences. Her son is growing up to be King of the Lads, despite her best efforts to encourage his sensitive side; fortunately, he has yet to learn the finer art of swearing and exactly what makes a hand gesture offensive. She gives us some brilliant general observations about family life, such as how marriage is managing always to stand exactly where your other half wants to stand (so true!) And who appreciated the power of a bum to efficiently regulate the administration of a WhatsApp group? There’s also a hilarious impersonation of a ghastly nasal American podcast woman, and an extraordinary account of a security incident at Zurich Airport that very nearly had an untoward consequence.

All the way through, she keeps up a wonderfully wry performance, constantly shifting the pace and tone of her delivery which keeps it very lively and unpredictable. Extremely funny, and almost the finished product which will be great by the time the Edinburgh Fringe starts. Jessica Fostekew’s Iconic Breath will be on at Monkey Barrel Comedy (3) in Blair Street every day from 11th to 24th August.

Headlining the evening was the irrepressible Josh Pugh, who doesn’t have an Edinburgh show this year but is nevertheless honing new material into shape for future use. Josh Pugh loves to take recognisable, simple ideas and twist them so that you look at them from a new direction. As he says, stand-up is an odd profession. You think you’ve got something funny to say but instead of sharing it with your nearest and dearest, or joking with the lads down the pub, you hire a mic and a room and invite a ton of strangers; what could possibly go wrong?

Josh’s new material is rooted in his experience of marriage and having young kids, and the ridiculousness of modern life. He has terrific material about what happens when you have two completely separate friendship groups of people from very different backgrounds and interests, and what happens when they collide; and the usefulness or otherwise of using an airfryer as part of a suicide attempt. But it’s family life that most concerns him at the moment, including how spending the day with a three year old isn’t bonding but boring; how the childbirth was so relaxed that they were able to take in an Amazon delivery at the same time – cue a fantastic wordplay callback moment – and what happened when he couldn’t find the squeezable comb designed to distract his wife’s attention from the pain of childbirth.

An hour in Mr P’s company is a guarantee of constantly new and refreshing material, delivered at a fast and intense pace, extremely funny and, you sense, also extremely honest. And whatever you do, don’t mention Twycross Zoo to him. A great night of comedy, much appreciated by all. And now it’s only a day or two before the Big Comedy Crate Weekender, which will be a hoot – or in fact, ten hoots, as that’s the number of shows we intend to see!