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lengths he – and by extension, we – have gone to for love. This popular ‘anti-queen Glasgow poof’ isn’t squeamish when it comes to dissecting odd scenarios he’s encountered while on the hunt, including a cast of overweight fag hag third wheels, tramps and Glasgow- Cantonese parlaying neds, with particularly astute insight into the dexterity of swearing in his home town. Agnew’s particular skill lies in
bringing a boozed-up and unsuspecting audience along for the ride; his schtick has broad appeal, with one eye on the tabloid-reading fraternity with cheap gags about Paul Gascoigne and Raoul Moat, the other evoking empathy among anyone who’s ever done something foolish for love. He manages to combine an ex- journalist’s nose for a story and the fabled Glasgow banter to powerful effect, spinning a tale and dragging it out. Relaxed and adaptable, this show confirms Scott Agnew as a
consummately entertaining storyteller with a devilish eye for the absurd detail. (Peggy Hughes) ■ Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 30 Aug (not 16), 11.15pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9).
PAUL SINHA Handling some hot political spuds ●●●●● This year Paul Sinha walks the tightrope of political comedy, and just about manages to keep his balance. There are enough outright jokes in this show to keep a bog-standard comedy club audience entertained, but they’re liberally spaced through a set that confronts several lefty demons head- on through a series of breathless polemical rants; the gutter press, the BNP and racist cockneys all come under fire. Being, as he is, the only gay, Asian former doctor-turned- fiercely intelligent comedian in the UK, Sinha’s been signed up to bat political hot potatoes on a few TV and radio shows recently, and he’s had his
mantra of it being good to talk (even to the BNP) tested to its limits.
He still sticks by this fairly flaccid political solution though, even as he assassinates popular targets from Roman Polanski to Bruce Forsyth. It’s a scattergun approach, and for a set that is slightly more political than it is funny, it’s up to Sinha’s self-belief to cover the gaps in, and between, his arguments. (Jonny Ensall) ■ The Stand III & IV, 558 7272, until 29 Aug (not 16), 10.40pm, £9 (£8).
Online Booking Fringe www.edfringe.com International Festival www.eif.co.uk Book Festival www.edbookfest.co.uk Art Festival www.edinburghartfestival.org THE REAL MACGUFFINS Deliciously daft sketches ●●●●●
Double act Jim and Dan . . . no wait, there’s a third member, the put-upon (and aptly named) Matt. And therein lies the dynamic for the threesome’s sketch show. The opening ‘this isn’t the show yet’ type skit establishes the hierarchy with Matt nestling at the bottom and as they continue through their hour, it’s peppered with self- reflexive comments such as asking each other ‘is that your estate agent voice?’ mid-sketch. It’s a familiar technique and one that works in the main, though some of the sketches lack punch, like the internally–worn mobile phones routine. But when they do get it right there are some truly inventive moments: a Chekovian love triangle featuring potatoes and a limp handshake competition are deliciously daft. Plus there’s no faulting their execution as the acting is as slick as their matching suit jackets as they transform into weird shopkeepers and sexed-up tea ladies. (Marissa Burgess) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 29 Aug, 10.45pm, £9–£11 (£7.50–£9.50).
SCOTT AGNEW Devilish entertainer with broad appeal ●●●●●
STORM LARGE A musical memoir with bawdy tales ●●●●●
Storm Large is absolutely gorgeous, what with her mile-long legs, blonde locks and cherubic face. But I think she expects us to be shocked with all her talk about fisting. The American rock chick will learn that Fringe audiences have a high capacity for smut and they’ll need it to cope with the sexual frankness in Storm Large’s musical memoir. After a difficult childhood and a period of drug-use, Large turned to music, fronting various bands and releasing several albums until TV reality show Rock Star: Supernova and a spell in Cabaret opened up her acting choices.
Crazy Enough runs like an off-Broadway musical. The generous number of songs are culled from recent albums with some covers thrown in, rock-flavoured and melodic with cleanly delivered filthy lyrics. She’s in her element when rocking the stage, with a soulful, versatile voice and a hard-as-nails persona. She hits
the comedy notes too, joining the dots between songs with potty-mouthed tales of tragedy and misadventure countered with a fierce vindication of her life. It’s a polished affair as Large rarely deviates from the
script. With a full band and amps cranked high, the concert vibe and slick production negate the possibility of an intimate confessional. It seems strange to criticise a show for being too professional, but thankfully the entertainment doesn’t suffer; on the night of the review the audience enjoyed it enough to bestow a standing ovation. Large advocates a ‘fuck ‘em all’ attitude but after climaxing the show with a barnstorming number she dedicates a lullaby to her late mother. A beautiful song, it wraps up the narrative nicely but plays into the conventions Large has just denounced. It seems the shock rocker doesn’t want to offend after all. (Suzanne Black) ■ Underbelly, 08445 458 252, until 29 Aug (not 16, 24), 10.25pm, £10.50–£12.50 (£6.50–£11).
Powerhouse Scott Agnew returns to the Fringe with this seamlessly laidback and funny narrative about the For everything you need to know about all the Festivals visit www.list.co.uk/festival
44 THE LIST 12–19 Aug 2010