This show was meant to be a series for Kitson to work on material for a large gig in London for October, hoever it appears that the gig has fallen through and the Edinburgh work in progress shows are now, in his words, "a contractual obligation".
Without something to really work towards, Kitson has free reign over the audience for a full 90 minutes. Outrageously, he seemingly has no pre-prepared material and riffs solidly on minute details about random audience members and never-ending tangential diversions on personal anecdotes. That said, only Kitson could pull off such an audacious feat and make it an intensely funny experience.
He starts the show with an impromptu ditty about a front-row audience member putting away their cardigan (honestly, how many comedians would think of such a thing?) and immediately sets a playful atmosphere for the show. Given the format of it, there are natural ups and downs in energy, though Daniel Kitson appeared acutely aware of the dips in laughter.
He continues his ongoing questioning of his reputation ("why won't you let me be human?" [or words to that effect], he pleads) and explains to one audience member, who (a rareity in a Kitson gig) was a newcomer to his material, that he does three types of show: profound meta-narrative theatre, life-changing stand-up and, as he says, "this gash". Gash it maybe, it's still rather enjoyable.
Very few comedians could pull off a gig like this one, or make ocular herpes quite so entertaining.
Score: 8/10
Venue: The Stand Comedy Club
Dates: 24-28 August
Time: 12 noon
Price: £5 (check twitter and the venue for spare tickets and returns)
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