Another day in Edinburgh heavy on comedy!
Here’s the schedule for 20th August:
12.00 – Joe Wells: I Am Autistic, PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth. From the Edinburgh Fringe website:
“Joe is not a “person with comedy”; he’s a comedian. Nor is he a “person with autism”; he’s autistic. His video Having a Brother Who is Not Autistic went viral, with over 2 million views. Support for Frankie Boyle and Alexei Sayle. ‘Some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian’ (Guardian). As seen on BBC Two’s Ouch! Storytelling Live, BBC Three’s Quickies and Dave’s Comedy Guide to Life. Writer for Have I Got News For You. A show about being proud of your weird brain.”
We first saw Joe Wells at the Fringe a few years ago on the strength of word of mouth and were blown away by his brilliant incisive observations. We never miss a chance to see him! I’m sure this will be as good as ever.
UPDATE: Always one of our favourite comedians, Joe is on fantastic form with a show that gives rise to pretty much non stop laughter, mainly about autism – and yes I know it sounds unlikely. He’s a truly gifted comedian, with a beautifully crafted set, and there’s no better way to start your Fringe day! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
14.45 – Trevor Lock’s New Show, PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans.
“The UK’s number-one comedian returns to the Fringe with a brand-new show that, as usual, will probably be entirely different each day. ‘Blew me away – an absolute masterclass in comedy performance’ ***** (Scotsman). ‘The most fun you can have without taking your clothes off’ (Mirror).”
Trevor Lock is new to us, so it’s a bit of a punt but he gets good reviews, so here’s hoping!
UPDATE no 1: in a change to the advertised programme, we’re going to see Oleg Denisov, Escaped Artist, instead!
UPDATE no 2: Oleg’s a funny guy, with great material, solid, reliable delivery, and I liked how he looked the Ukrainian conflict head-on, there’s no point trying to deny or ignore it. Plenty of good jokes that stem from being a foreigner, living overseas, trying to make a living from comedy. He’s also trying to be feminist, which creates more comic delights. Very good indeed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
16.15 – Richard Stott: Afterparty, Underbelly Bristo Square.
“Richard Stott returns to the Fringe with a brand-new show filled with trademark storytelling and joyously acerbic one liners. The runner-up in Dave’s Jokes of the Fringe 2019 talks about stripping down for a documentary, club nights that turned into afterparties and then into crime scenes, and finally starting to grow up and beginning to like the adult he’s become. All while living with a disability… perhaps. As seen on ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show. ‘Definitely one to watch out for’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Thoroughly enjoyable’ (Skinny). ‘Reminiscent of Jonathan Pie’ (ThreeWeeks).”
More comedy, again from someone we don’t know but again they get good reviews. You have to take a risk in Edinburgh!
UPDATE: First of all, I see absolutely no similarity between Jonathan Pie and Richard Stott! A very well structured show, where Richard is coming to terms with being in his mid-30s without being ready to accept it yet. Afterparty becomes a metaphor for those bleak years after the fun of your 20s. Likeable and easy to identify with, Richard has a good attacking style, although some of the material could do with a bit of sharpening up. Nevertheless, very enjoyable! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
18.40 – Pear, Underbelly, Cowgate.
“You have a one in 250 chance of being an identical twin, so for Hugo and Patrick McPherson, they started life by being a bit unusual. And that’s not all: 6’8″, benders of the truth, and standing at 6’7″, these enormous twins now launch their debut show, Pear. A riotous, absurd and hilarious collection of sketch comedy and wacky characters. There was originally cultural commentary; it got cut for time. But it was as brave as much as it is now not in the show. An unapologetically original hour of comedy.”
Fringe favourite Patrick McPherson, whom we’ve already seen once this Fringe, returns with his brother for a series of sketches.
UPDATE: “Are there twins in the audience, oh oh, oh oh, are there any twins in?” 🎵 🎵 I guarantee you’ll be singing that for ages.
21.15 – Adults Only Magic Show, Assembly George Square Studios.
“Winner of Best Magic Show and Adelaide Fringe Weeklies. Prepare to be wowed out of your seats in this jam-packed, 18+ spectacular! Featuring an array of raucous comedy, mind-bending illusions and a cheeky hint of nudity seen on stages all across the globe! The Penn & Teller of Australia! ***** (GlamAdelaide.com.au). ‘Wildly hilarious, wonderfully confident and wickedly inappropriate!’ ***** (TheatreTravels.org). ‘This duo is a force to be reckoned with!’ ***** (WeekendNotes.co.uk). ‘Magic at its finest and funniest! **** (FringeFeed, FringeWorld.com.au).”
Always up for a bit of naughty magic! This show has been going for some time but we’ve never seen it – first time for everything.
UPDATE: Sam and Justin have put together some amazing magic and framed it within this “adult only” naughty presentation, to the delight of everyone. Very funny, very naughty and very incredible! Not a clue as to how any of it was done. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
23.20 – A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception, The Space on North Bridge.
“A bumbling detective is called upon to uncover the mystery of a priceless stolen painting, but when he cannot solve it himself he is forced to enlist the help of an old nemesis. Together, the pair must interrogate the many characterful suspects that reside at the manor, in order to catch the conniving culprit and solve the crime of the century. A multi-roling, slapstick comedy bringing the classics of comedy to the 21st century. **** (LondonPubTheatres.com).”
From the comedy whodunit genre – let’s hope it’s more hit than miss!
UPDATE: They may call themselves Shoddy Theatre, but there’s nothing shoddy about this brilliant piece of nonsensical, physical theatre, packed with terrifically ludicrous scenes, hilarious characterisations, knockabout humour and superb stage fighting! Loved every minute of it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️