Not one of the usual blog posts about dicking around in NYC but a suggestion made by Mark Boosey of the British Comedy Guide. I was chatting to him at the end of the ECA Awards ceremony and he reckoned I should make my tweets available via a blog post. So that's what I've done. And it's allowed me to correct all the spelling mistakes. Go technology! I've highlighted the three best shows in red.
Josh Pugh (WIP): He's matey & relaxed in front of an appreciative, full room. Initial observations are all touched on lightly; we move rapidly between art, sushi & weddings with barely a moment spent on transitions. Parenting makes up the bulk of the successful set. PWYW. 3.5/5
Stuart Laws (Preview): He's bright & articulate as he explains his deliberate childlessness. Surreal flights of fancy (Harry Hill?) abound & there's some deconstruction. The closing section on grief will hopefully tighten up thru the run. A pleasant, intelligent hour. PWYW. 3/5
Sam Williams: It's a preview of a WIP of a 45 min debut. That sets a low bar for these autobiographical tales, dwelling mainly on being queer/NB. The writing shows promise but the delivery lacks light & shade. They seem nice tho & the show can't fail to get slicker. PWYW. 2.5/5
1998: A Walking Disaster: With the best will in the world, this is not a sophisticated comedy offering. Incredibly, things take quite a dip when he brings out puppets & opts to improvise a "podcast". You can definitely find a better use for your time. PWYW. 1.5/5
David Quirk (Preview): We're firmly in one man show territory here with a single, long story about a perceived slight. Delivery is energetic & theatrical. To successfully conjure an hour from such a tiny detail requires a level of skill that not every comedian has. 2/5
Henry Ginsberg's Cookery: He cheerfully acknowledges that the show is "embryonic". It's a mix of stories from a Weatherspoon's kitchen plus some general thoughts on food/cooking. There's some good-natured but ultimately pointless crowdwork & then we all go home. PWYW. 2/5
James Cook: There are hints of Sean Lock/a chunk of Stewart Lee in the delivery, but in an Acaster-dominated world, I'm OK with that. This amiable, well-written, PowerPoint-driven summary of an odd Twitter experience deserves a bigger audience (Counting House 17:45). Free. 3.5/5
JJ Whithead: Without doubt, he's an engaging, charismatic performer. It could be argued that he merits a bigger crowd but this story-telling show is a patchy affair, nominally about TV but really covering whatever he wants to talk about. I look forward to seeing him again. 3/5
Rob Auton: The low, flat drone of his delivery starts & it seems like just one-liners. The irregular rhythm tricks you & in a blink of an eye you've been seduced by poetry for 2 mins. Fast forward & you've been smiling insanely for an hour. A joyous way to spend an afternoon. 4/5
Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: He's in complete control of the room as he takes us through diverse topics such as guilt-free zoos & how Edinburgh could rebrand. There are lots of surprise punchlines, delivered with absolute precision. He's stepping up to the top tier now. PWYW. 4/5
Those Who Can't Do: Storytelling show focused on drinking, travel but mainly teaching. The quality of the stories dips frequently but the large number of teachers in the crowd enjoyed themselves. The room is small (buy a ticket or get there early) & very warm. PWYW. 2.5/5
Get Blessed!: Attempting an hour with a single character is a challenge. The performance can't be faulted but character development is minimal & while the PowerPoint slides clip along, there's too much titting about with arts/crafts for my liking & the end feels underwritten. 2/5
Will Hall: Nominally a WIP, he takes us through a variety of Millennial concerns, readily dispatching the notes for the failed bits to the floor. There is a distinct comic voice - unfortunately it is the voice of Joe Lycett. You will not curse yourself for missing this. PWYW. 2/5
Sachin Kumarendran: There r tiny flashes of interest early on, then he gets bogged down in what he believes constitutes an award-worthy show. We then double down & pivot to an AV section before trudging to a conclusion with PowerPoint slides & a Gorman-esque "project". PWYW. 2/5
Phil Green: Generations are different, boomers bought a house for £5, Gen Z have mental health. Add in that hack joke about "& if you think 'I don't' then it's you", 1.5 sad bits & A LOT of Sugababes & u have a show comedy aficionados can skip. Some folk adored it tho. Free. 2/5
Jake Baker: He has a gentle, slightly nerdy air to him (think a less alpha Mark Watson). There's no discernible theme but he dwells on film-making & there's a steady ripple of laughs throughout. A well-written, occasionally whimsical, set of conventional standup. PWYW. 3.5/5
Alex Franklin: The personae is as if ADHD came to life. There are songs & a ton of tech cues. The delivery is an overblown growl/screech. There's definitely talent on show, but this camp explosion of nonsense is probably too niche for all but the Gen Z cool kids. 2.5/5
Table For Two: This is gentle clowning with some slapstick. The scene is a restaurant meal & 1 "lucky" punter gets to be involved. The end is a little dragged out but it's an inoffensive way to pass an hour. The 20s/30s jazz soundtrack adds to its old fashioned feel. 2.5/5
Will BF: It feels like it was conceived by a precocious 8 year old & performed by a drama student. A lost film is acted out while video clips discuss its making/legacy. It may suit younger people or film fans with low standards but I struggled no end. Again. 2/5
Leeds Tealights: Student sketch groups tend to be guilty of the same faults. A sketch will start with a vaguely surreal premise, tread water with 1 or more participants overacting, there will be some group shouting before it ends poorly/not at all. How's your day been? PWYW. 2/5
Ivo Graham: The duality of Ivo is that he's both haughty & self-critical. He starts fantastically, albeit late, & every crowd interaction is a joy. The body of the hour works less well, the confidence uncharacteristically absent & the audience steadily quietening. Fun though. 3/5
How To Be a Man: A series of well-performed characters with extensive, good-natured audience interaction. The ad-libbing works well, though one of the characters owes a little too much to Stath. There's some flesh on show which may well appeal. Surprisingly enjoyable. Free. 3/5
Hooked: The performances are mainly understated; there's an easy, relaxed rhythm to their exchanges. The quality of the writing is a little inconsistent, particularly on the sketch endings but I've seen worse. Worth a PWYW punt if you're at a loose end at lunchtime. 3/5
The Kinsey Sicks: Drag Queens performing a capella? This couldn't be further from my comfort zone but do u know what? It's surprisingly well done, in a cartoony/adult panto-esque way. The harmonies r lovely & it's deliciously inappropriate at times. I'm as surprised as u are. 3/5
Adam Riley: A short set of by-the-book standup, frequently relying on misdirection. There are a fair number of swears & explicit material but it's billed accordingly. There's no theme & delivery is expressionless but it's another legitimate punt via PWYW if it fills a gap. 3/5
John Hastings: A strong set of personal storytelling from the likeable Canadian. He's lightning-quick countering an audience reaction or even a misstep from himself. There's no big theme but his life in the US crops up repeatedly. The room is on the cosy side. PWYW. 4/5
Cam Gavinski: OK, strap in. A narcissist talks about dicks/wanking for an hour (his words). There's 41 mins of scene-setting including an imagined history of his French puppet (!) cock, then a jokeless relaying of a blackmail attempt, finishing on a mournful, topless song. 1/5
Vix Leyton: A short, tight set of accessible, conventional standup. She's an engaging performer & transitions well between topics. People-pleasing is something of a theme & her mum features throughout. It's a solid debut, 1 which deserves (& I'm sure will get) a bigger crowd. 3.5/5
33 Years Single: It's hard to present a new take on relationships & you'll have heard some of these observations before but there are some sparks of good writing & it's done with no-little charm. There are 3 improvised raps which always please a crowd. Free & in a funky room. 3/5
Rick Molland: This veteran MC has dealt with late night, boozy audiences for decades. Feisty 11yr old twins in the front row present a different challenge but fail to derail his whip smart crowdwork. There's some actual standup too, covering disastrous jobs in his past. PWYW. 3/5
Patrick Hastie: This very personal, storytelling show covers his childhood relationship with his grandfather & a genealogy quest regarding a long-dead relation. While it is engaging, there is significant scope to reduce the information imparted & dial up the laughs. PWYW. 2.5/5
Chocolate Scot: Delivery is robust & fluid & there's good use of language. He tries to draw parallels between black Americans & Scots, with all the success you can imagine. Parenting/relationships are also touched upon. He is MUCH better on US culture wars & book banning. PWYW. 3/5
Sigmund the Viking: A Viking has become spiritual & discovered yoga. This is gentle, child-like clowning. The narrative is slight/non-existent & the production values are on the low side. If you engage with the character & park your cynicism, you'll get on better than me. 2/5
Eric Rushton: He has an oddball, awkward energy. It's densely-written, conventional standup but with frequent flights of fancy. Jon Richardson fans might enjoy his wordy, pedantic analysis of situations. There are lots of laughs but he doesn't like dolphins. PWYW. 3.5/5
Stuart McPherson: A breakup & the subsequent period of introspection form the basis of the show. Delivery is animated & the laugh rate is astonishingly high; I can't think of a show more densely-packed with gags. Smart, accessible standup from a charismatic performer. PWYW. 4.5/5
Liam Withnail: A very accomplished show from this talented local, focusing on his battle with illness & a challenging hospital stay. Despite the subject matter, he's crafted an hour packed with laughs. He's one of the most dependably funny performers working. PWYW. 4/5
Grubby Little Mitts: Performances are excellent; arguably they are the standard by which sketch show actors should be measured. The lunacy of 2022's closing skit is missing here but it's still a solid product. Worth catching if student sketch shows have left you dispirited. 3/5
Larry Dean (WIP): The show is still forming but things are looking promising. Relationships, toxic & otherwise, are at the heart of it. He's a charismatic performer with a range of comedic skills at his disposal. Let's hope his Vegas residency doesn't come too soon. PWYW. 4/5
Ian Smith: The loose theme of "stress" offers free rein to explore almost anything. We travel from Blackpool to Slovakia, in emotional states ranging from exasperation to extreme agitation. There's so much to enjoy here it's indecent. Astonishing stuff, I may go again. PWYW. 5/5
Vittorio Angelone: There's a "difficult 2nd album" feel about this hour. After the runaway success of Translations it would've been a challenge to bring a new show to a similar level in a few months. There's lots to enjoy as he mulls on identity & revisits nationality. PWYW. 3/5
Our Place in the World: A summary of Britain's, or as he calls it, England's role in the modern world. Royalty through the ages & Weatherspoon's also get a look in. There are two songs & a rap & I really wish there weren't. It's not crucial that you see this. Free. 2/5
Ear Trumpet: He's throwing lots of ideas at the wall, but not many are sticking. He's trying whimsy, which I always think needs an exaggerated, colourful character to succeed. There's a fair chunk of Phil Wang in the delivery. I'll keep an eye out for him in the future. Free. 2/5
Jon Hipkiss: He's certainly slick, but the writing isn't great & the callbacks are poor - he opts to simply mention something he said before, point at the audience & declare "Callback!" triumphantly. Not a show for regular standup watchers. Free. 1.5/5
Geraldine Hickey: It's an odd style. Delivery is low energy & the stories are intentionally tedious, the laughs coming from tiny details & inflections (think David Kay). From the halfway point the focus is on the build to the show climax & the laughs are more thinly spread. 3/5
Ben Clover: A short, chatty set of conventional, accessible standup in a warm room. Delivery is relaxed, he's personable & good with an audience. He finishes his run today (15th) so it's your last chance. Free. 3/5
Chris Turner: He starts well. He's assured on stage, the script is tight & the story well-told. After the improvised rap (excellent as always) there's not too much of the story left, so there are assorted family-related diversions. It's a solid, professional hour. 3.5/5
EUgoslav: His Croatian background features heavily in these gentle, personal stories. They're often based on either a simplistic misunderstanding or a clichéd premise. Some tales sound, let's be generous, embellished. He'll no doubt come out the Fringe a better comic. PWYW. 2.5/5
Laser Kiwi: A curious mix of inexpert clowning, student-style sketches & occasionally, astonishingly-impressive circus skills. Expecting a circus performer to also excel as a comedy actor seems unreasonable. How much you enjoy this will depend on where your priorities lie. 2.5/5
Femme Natale: The blurb is upfront about the nature of the sketches. It's entirely pitched at parents & more specifically mothers - there's nothing, script-wise, for the childless. The performances veer towards flat or panto. Oddly, the most gifted actor is underused. Niche. 2/5
Ciaran Bartlett: He starts with what are effectively musical 1-liners. He's crude, dark & occasionally puerile or "filthy" as he calls it. He moves on to storytelling & there are some reworked songs. The predominantly Irish audience lapped it up, but others may struggle. 3/5
Braingystics: They're offering you a whole new way of thinking! Or is it a cult? This is lovely stuff. The writing is dense & both performances are excellent; energised, mannered & creepily convincing. Fans of Brass Eye/Adam Buxton might enjoy this weird sales pitch. PWYW. 4/5
Colin Etches: It's conventional anecdotal standup, very loosely themed around ADHD. The writing is not strong - we had the 3rd outing this Fringe for the 'then it's you" hack joke (it should automatically trigger refunds to ticket holders). There are many better shows on. PWYW. 2/5
Ashley Barnhill: She has a handful of crafted, dark 1-liners. They are sprinkled through a set mainly containing "er", "f*ck" & "I don't know" like she's trying to remember a script she saw once a month ago. Her credits are impressive but this is not an appealing watch. PWYW. 1.5/5
Micky Overman: She's covering well-trodden ground (ageing/kids/relationships) but the writing is strong & there are some delicious, dark moments peppered through the set. A solid hour of accessible, conventional standup. PWYW. 3.5/5
Anthony Schuman: The opening excerpts from a letter suggest that this could be a bleak 50 mins. It's true that he's discussing some dark subjects but it's an upbeat set of competent, autobiographical standup. I wish him well, but finding an audience will be a struggle. 2.5/5
Garrett Millerick: What a high-octane hour this is, with barely a pause for breath in the first 30 mins. He argues his points passionately & intelligently & the wrap-up is lovely. I always enjoy when a comedian seems smarter than me. Tremendous, opinionated fun. PWYW. 4.5/5
Nick Doody: A Saturday crowd isn't the most receptive audience for his particular form of intelligent standup, but he gets away with it. Well-argued but still accessible. The closing Wuhan section is great fun & he wraps up neatly with some mother-in-law material. Free. 3/5
Sam Lake: He's charm personified as he introduces us to his idol & explains the role in life he aspires to. It's full of delightful, offhand campness. The second half is more personal & a tad serious but it's a splendid way to spend lunchtime. PWYW. 3.5/5
Philipp Kostelecky: He may look like he has a trust fund, but there's plenty to enjoy here. Delivery is fast & fluid, word economy is excellent & he really commits to the act-outs! There's no theme but it's accessible throughout. An impressive hour from an act new to me. 3.5/5
Ignacio Lopez: It's a gentle, pleasant watch. We get 45 mins of stories from his life, mainly his Welsh background & development as a standup, 6 of the headline tale & then some songs. The audience went for it, particularly when he dials up the Spanish-ness, his USP. 3/5
How To Live a Jellicle Life: It's a camp, dumb but reverential analysis of the film Cats. It's jam-packed with Gen Z popular culture references, delivered via fairly basic PowerPoint slides. It could legitimately be described as great or terrible. It all depends on your DoB.
Born in a Wheelchair: A gentle, life-affirming hour about living with & caring for a disabled relative. The set moves along nicely & there's a steady stream of laughs. He wraps up neatly with the requisite callbacks. Definitely worth a PWYW early afternoon punt. 3/5
Heidi Regan: She promises that you'll learn nothing in this daft show themed around coincidences. The goofy, slightly unhinged personae she presents is impossible not to warm to. The closing argument does make you question her sanity though. An easy-going, dumb treat. Free. 3.5/5
Daniel Muggleton: It's a tight set of anecdotal material, with a bias towards Australia's place in the world. He's been consistently good for years, so hopefully he can move up to grander venues & we can stop jostling on the pavement for the chance to see him. Free. 3.5/5
Pierre Novellie: I'm old enough to remember him before he was handsome. He has a hangdog, despondent air about him as he trudges towards what feels like laughs he almost regrets causing. Those laughs are terrifically well-observed. It's a dense, brutal hour of standup. PWYW. 4/5
Alexander Bennett: The core of the show is his self-hatred, but he darts into other areas (clothes/estate agents/the Taliban) & you're never far from a laugh. He's verbose & the delivery has hints of John Robins. It's a strong hour of considered, occasionally dark, standup. 3.5/5
David McIver: He opens with generic standup before moving into a PowerPoint presentation on "Wellness". He alternates between wordy/nerdy & extremely stupid with ease. It's densely-written but doesn't feel too pleased with itself. Free, but in a small room so don't be late. 4/5
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