list.co.uk/festival Reviews at a Glance | F E S T I VA L C O M E DY
R E V I E W S AT A G L A N C E
For full length versions of these reviews, see list.co.uk/festival
AARON CHEN: PISS OFF (JUST KIDDING) ●●●●● Chen’s material isn’t ground-breaking in any particular way but the overall tone possesses a teasing and playful quality that’s continually self-conscious and knowing. Proving that there is some wonderfully evocative writing in here, he relates his discovery of stodgy ‘white people’s food’ with his first-generation Chinese dad making apple crumble for him based only on a wild guess at the recipe. (Marissa Burgess) Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug, 10.45pm, £8.50–£10.50 (£7.50–£9.50).
ANDREW WHITE: RETIREMENT TOUR ●●●●● Only 19, White is officially done with stand-up. His offer-letter to Cardiff Uni sits just to the right of the stage, a constant reminder that this really is his Retirement Tour (or is it?). Less capable hands might have struggled with topics such as living with dysthymia, growing up gay in a conservative rural village, or the emotional toll of unsuccessful gigs, but White interweaves them with the well- timed use of visual aids. (Sofia Matias) Just the Tonic at The Mash House, until 25 Aug, 1.05pm, £5 in advance or donations at the venue. ANGE LAVOIPIERRE: FINAL FORM ●●●●● We’re all multiple different people to other multiple different people: friends, family, colleagues and lovers. That’s the premise of Lavoipierre’s Edinburgh debut, and although it’s an interesting concept, the execution leaves a little to be desired. Lavoipierre is clearly a woman of many talents, from journalist to cellist, but you get the feeling that she doesn’t yet know what her comedy style should be. (Lauren McKay) Underbelly George Square, until 26 Aug (not 14), 10.40pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9).
BEC HILL: I’LL BE BEC ●●●●● Hill is an Australian comedian posing as a time traveller, giving advice to her audience and also her less confident past self on how to avoid climate disaster, do memorable stand-up and not become part of the 1% evil elite. Not all the jokes make it into orbit and some of the wordplay gets a bit out of hand, but her pop-culture references and range of DIY gadgets should keep sci-fi nerds entertained. (Claire Sawers) Pleasance Dome, until 25 Aug, 5.40pm, £8–£10 (£7–£9). CARL DONNELLY: SHALL WE ALL JUST KILL OURSELVES? ●●●●● As yelping seagulls and passing
performers in underwear accidentally distract from his show, Donnelly works it all into his set, looking relaxed as he updates us on his personal journey. He’s spoken openly in the past about phases of bad mental health and is interested in other people’s modern- day coping mechanisms. Hypocrisy, worthiness, optimism and being bleak blend together in a warm, open hour. (Claire Sawers) Heroes @ The SpiegelYurt, until 25 Aug, £7 (£5) in advance or donations at the venue. CHRIS WASHINGTON: RACONTEUR ●●●●● This ex- postman from Wigan brings no identity crisis to the Fringe. He’s not brought a sob story, toxic rant or searing Brexit commentary either. In fact, the particular niche that the almost 30-year- old Washington is carving out, and very well too, is that of the down to earth, happy-with-his-lot comedian. (Claire Sawers) Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug, 8.15pm, £9–£12 (£8–£11).
DANIEL CONNELL: PIECE OF PISS ●●●●● This likeable Australian comic has been hanging out with his elderly neighbour of late and while he might hear some off-colour remarks, Connell is just too much of a gent to hang his new buddy out to dry. Instead we hear off-kilter tales of nervous flyers, a horse-ride that went wrong, and that overly-done, well- worn staple of stand-up, goat yoga . . . (Brian Donaldson) Underbelly Bristo Square, until 25 Aug, 8.10pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10.50).
DAVID CALLAGHAN: DANCE LIKE NO ONE’S DAVID CALLAGHAN ●●●●● For all the material drawn from comic staples like stag dos, there is an equal amount inspired by less obvious sources, such as supermarket baking, and the best joke about a candle you’ll ever hear. Even the familiar joke fodder is given a welcome injection of inventiveness. This makes the pathos of the darker sections of the show all the more poignant, as Callaghan tempers silliness with sadness. (Suzanne Black) Just the Tonic at The Mash House, until 25 Aug, 11.55am, £5 in advance or donations at the venue.
DAVID CORREOS: BETTER THAN I WAS THE LAST TIME ●●●●● Last year, Correos did some astonishingly undignified things on stage, inspiring displays of devotion and walk-outs in equal doses. Despite trying to go for the happy medium, tonight’s show is a car crash, with almost half of it spent recalling the stunts that brought him notoriety. Correos could be a cult favourite, but before his next visit he needs to figure out what he actually wants to be.
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Bec Hill
(Craig Angus) Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, until 26 Aug, 10.15pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9). FLO & JOAN: BEFORE THE SCREAMING STARTS ●●●●● Flo & Joan have upgraded by bringing a drum kit with them this year, and their overall attitude has also had a facelift, with this show all about confidence. With a perfect blend of caustic wit and sheer nonsense, the Dempsey sisters reflect upon the recent Bros documentary, realising that one day their partnership too will end. (Deborah Chu) Assembly George Square Gardens, until 25 Aug, 6pm, £12–£13 (£11–£12).
FLORA ANDERSON: ROMANTIC ●●●●● This is defiantly not a show about romantic love, insists Anderson, it’s all about the Romantic poets, and specifically the big three of Byron, Keats and Shelley. This trio are ideal for a game of Marry, Fuck, Kill, while neat analogies are made to Love Island and Titanic. An amiable enough show from a performer who has a burgeoning stage presence in a career that might well be one to watch. (Brian Donaldson) Underbelly Bristo Square, until 25 Aug, 3.10pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9).
GAVIN WEBSTER: BUDDHISM AND OTHER SUCH RUBBISH ●●●●● With such a provocative show title, you’d expect Fringe veteran Webster to be firing shots on all cylinders but, unfortunately, he doesn’t quite hit the mark. He doesn’t really
hate Buddhism, you see, or any of the other subjects he takes aim at, including veganism and women in the workplace, but the jokes about race and gender feel somewhat outdated and incendiary for the sake of it. (Lauren McKay) The Stand 2, until 25 Aug, 7.35pm, £10 (£9). GEORGE FOURACRES: GENTLEMON ●●●●● One third of sketch team Daphne, this chap from the Black Country delivers a show that tackles class, social mobility and the unwise decision to play a sweaty bunker in a tweed suit. He delivers most of the show all in his own voice and some in the broad dialect of his home region, while chucking in some entertaining characters along the way. (Brian Donaldson) Pleasance Courtyard, until 26 Aug (not 18), 3.30pm, £8.50–£10.50 (£7.50–£9.50).
GEORGE RIGDEN: SPOONING WITH URI ●●●●● Rigden’s story seems stranger than fiction, a bizarre tale that’s disturbing, a little bit heartbreaking and, yes, very funny indeed. As a lonely and bullied teenager, he became an enthusiastic autograph hunter and in doing so struck up a correspondence with the self-described ‘telepathist, clairvoyant and mental bender’, Uri Geller. His old pal has got wind of the show and is sending what can only be described as self-centred messages of support. The plot continues to thicken. (Craig Angus) Just The Tonic at The Caves, until 25 Aug, 6.15pm, £5–£6 (£5) in advance or donations at the venue. 14–26 Aug 2019 THE LIST FESTIVAL 57