Yeah I saw Daniel Kitson again.
He was amazing as usual. This time we guessed an audience member's name and other hinjix. How that man can work a crowd and riff like he does is incredible. Sadly the vibe pump did not featur ethis time round.
Saturday, 27 August 2016
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Show 15: Mark Cooper-Jones: Geographically Speaking
Former Geography teacher, Mark Cooper-Jones, presents an hour of geography-based riffs and musings though predominantly this is an hour of a man establishing his privilege and status with a generous helping of comedian pullback and reveals and a delightful use of the good old-fashioned overhead projector.
Mark Cooper-Jones opens the show with a modified extending-matching-type-question about people's geography knowledge and their perceptions of the subject - minorly risky, potential for falling flat but his energy and crowd work manages to keep us engaged, and from there we go to a nice whimsical representation of the show's structure (essentially semi-shambolic, but he's painted himself into a likeable character so we're on board with it) and onwards to an extended love-letter about cartography amusingly interspersed with evidence of Marl Cooper-Jones' academic achievements.
He runs the risk of coming across as arrogant and haughty, and at times he doesn't quite manage to create an approachable persona, but perhaps that's not his aim. Nevertheless he's certainly assured and Knows well very how he wants to perform. Alongside all this are some very good jokes, side-steps and the occasional audience ribbing. A very entertaining hour.
Mark Cooper-Jones opens the show with a modified extending-matching-type-question about people's geography knowledge and their perceptions of the subject - minorly risky, potential for falling flat but his energy and crowd work manages to keep us engaged, and from there we go to a nice whimsical representation of the show's structure (essentially semi-shambolic, but he's painted himself into a likeable character so we're on board with it) and onwards to an extended love-letter about cartography amusingly interspersed with evidence of Marl Cooper-Jones' academic achievements.
He runs the risk of coming across as arrogant and haughty, and at times he doesn't quite manage to create an approachable persona, but perhaps that's not his aim. Nevertheless he's certainly assured and Knows well very how he wants to perform. Alongside all this are some very good jokes, side-steps and the occasional audience ribbing. A very entertaining hour.
Score: 7/10
Venue: Movement
Dates: 24-27 August
Time: 15:45
Price: Free
Show 14: Josie Long and Martin Williams: Investigations
Josie Long has teamed up with investigative journalist Martin Williams to uncover social and political injustices that can't quite be released publically in print media.
It's a smallish, intimate room with a stage adorned almost inexplicably with a number of potted plants (it turns out they're trying to see if they can add one piece of random rubbish they can find each day to the stage). Josie Long's passion for social justice and political reform blends well with Martin William's thorough investigative skills. They make a good team on-stage with Josie Long driving most of the humour and some rather charming obviously staged jokes for Martin Williams to share the comedy torch.
It's refreshing to see Josie Long's bright enthusiastic optimism for the future, despite how bleak it may seem for us left-leaning citizens. There's light at the end as Long and Williams show how Williams' investigations led to the (minor) disciplining of a Baronness and revealing that literally anyone in the UK can apply to be a Lord.
Overall it's a charming and fun hour of commentary about social injustice and political corruption.
It's a smallish, intimate room with a stage adorned almost inexplicably with a number of potted plants (it turns out they're trying to see if they can add one piece of random rubbish they can find each day to the stage). Josie Long's passion for social justice and political reform blends well with Martin William's thorough investigative skills. They make a good team on-stage with Josie Long driving most of the humour and some rather charming obviously staged jokes for Martin Williams to share the comedy torch.
It's refreshing to see Josie Long's bright enthusiastic optimism for the future, despite how bleak it may seem for us left-leaning citizens. There's light at the end as Long and Williams show how Williams' investigations led to the (minor) disciplining of a Baronness and revealing that literally anyone in the UK can apply to be a Lord.
Overall it's a charming and fun hour of commentary about social injustice and political corruption.
Score: 7/10
Venue: The Stand Comedy Club, Stand 5
Dates: 24-28 August
Time: 12noon
Price: £10 (£9)
Show 13: Andrew Maxwell: Sight Return
Having first watched Andrew Maxwell in 2007 with his Perrier nominated show, Waxin', I've enjoyed watching this charmer every few years. He returns with another hour of political wonderings in amongst the musings of various European nationalities and various British and Irish identities.
It's his 21st year the the Festival and his experience is evident in his relaxed, confident performance. This is a comedian at utter ease on stage. His crowdwork eases us in to thoughts on Brexit, on being part of the European community and from there we springboard into a variety of topics, from family life to the state of Australian politics and the pride of the people of Cork.
It's a very funny hour from a very engaging comic.
It's his 21st year the the Festival and his experience is evident in his relaxed, confident performance. This is a comedian at utter ease on stage. His crowdwork eases us in to thoughts on Brexit, on being part of the European community and from there we springboard into a variety of topics, from family life to the state of Australian politics and the pride of the people of Cork.
It's a very funny hour from a very engaging comic.
Score: 8/10
Venue: Assembly at George Square Lecture Theatre
Dates: 24-28 August
Time: 20:30
Price: £13 (312) weekdays, £15 (£14) weekend
Show 12: Mr Swallow - Houdini
Nick Mohammed's no stranger to character comedy and performing. His previous Mr Swallow show, Dracula! was tremendously well received as a mad, almost shambolic musical caper. After hearing his Comedian's Comedian episode I was intrigued.
Mr Swallow is an energectic, almost frenetic, character aided by his two patient assistants, played by Kieren Hodgson and David Elms. From the start, with Mr Swalllow trapped in a clear box thumbing through a book about escapology, miming with the audience and making silent pleas for help, you cna tell it's not going to be your usual comedy show.
What proceeds is an hour of sharp comedic musical numbers, witty dialogue and thrilling escapology. You can tell this show is a labour of love. Nick Mohammed, David Elms and Kieren Hodgson manage to make their performances loot effortless, and the general tomfoolery provides a delightful and beguiling hour of comedy. It's remarkable that the energy and quality is consistent throughout the show. It's well worth a watch and I'm sure that MR Swallow will return with more escapades in future Festivals.
Mr Swallow is an energectic, almost frenetic, character aided by his two patient assistants, played by Kieren Hodgson and David Elms. From the start, with Mr Swalllow trapped in a clear box thumbing through a book about escapology, miming with the audience and making silent pleas for help, you cna tell it's not going to be your usual comedy show.
What proceeds is an hour of sharp comedic musical numbers, witty dialogue and thrilling escapology. You can tell this show is a labour of love. Nick Mohammed, David Elms and Kieren Hodgson manage to make their performances loot effortless, and the general tomfoolery provides a delightful and beguiling hour of comedy. It's remarkable that the energy and quality is consistent throughout the show. It's well worth a watch and I'm sure that MR Swallow will return with more escapades in future Festivals.
Score: 8/10
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Forth
Dates: 24-28 August
Time: 19:00
Price:£13 (£12) weekday, £14 (£13) weekend
Show 11: Rhys James: Forgives
Though young, Rhys James has been in the comedy business since 2009 and made his Edinburgh debut in 2010 as part of a package show. This is his third solo show (as far as my 5 minute research can tell me) at Edinburgh.
His show starts with a pre-recorded audio set piece about how he's changed and become a bigger and better comedian. His show generally revolves around his life right now, and what he had thought he'd be as a 10 year old, and the generational gap between the millenials and the baby boomers.
He's certainly got a carefully crafted hour of thoughts, annoyances and anecdotes. It's fast-paced and well rehearsed but with this performance it felt stiff and forced. He's certainly got plenty of talent and ideas, but he seems to lose something in translation. It feels frantic, though that may match his anger, and the jokes are good but they just don't always hit the mark.
Regardless, there's still plenty of potential and it'll be interesting to see how Rhys James develops as a comedian.
His show starts with a pre-recorded audio set piece about how he's changed and become a bigger and better comedian. His show generally revolves around his life right now, and what he had thought he'd be as a 10 year old, and the generational gap between the millenials and the baby boomers.
He's certainly got a carefully crafted hour of thoughts, annoyances and anecdotes. It's fast-paced and well rehearsed but with this performance it felt stiff and forced. He's certainly got plenty of talent and ideas, but he seems to lose something in translation. It feels frantic, though that may match his anger, and the jokes are good but they just don't always hit the mark.
Regardless, there's still plenty of potential and it'll be interesting to see how Rhys James develops as a comedian.
Score: 5/10
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Beside
Dates: 24-28 August
Time: 16:45
Price: £10 (£9) weekdays, £11.50 (£10) weekend
Show 10: Alfie Brown: Scissor
Alfie Brown's now in his 11th year of performing stand-up. After hearing his Comedian's Comedian episode, I thought I'd see what he had to say.
Undoubtedly, Alfie Brown is fearless and confident on stage. He's got ferocious energy and a sharp disdain for some aspects of modern life, namely selfies, and love.
He's a mix of intelligent ranting, vivid cynicism and amusing metaphors. He's got strong opnions, and most likely won't be to everyone's taste. He certainly has a decent amount about sex, but overall this is a clever show about the modern world and what's wrong with it.
He's talented, he's passionated, he's insightful but the material doesn't quite gel with me unfortuantely.
Undoubtedly, Alfie Brown is fearless and confident on stage. He's got ferocious energy and a sharp disdain for some aspects of modern life, namely selfies, and love.
He's a mix of intelligent ranting, vivid cynicism and amusing metaphors. He's got strong opnions, and most likely won't be to everyone's taste. He certainly has a decent amount about sex, but overall this is a clever show about the modern world and what's wrong with it.
He's talented, he's passionated, he's insightful but the material doesn't quite gel with me unfortuantely.
Score: 6/10
Venue: The City Cafe, Blair Street
Dates: 24-28 August
Time: 15:00
Price: Free
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