Show 39: Rob Kemp: The Elvis Dead

Dara o’ Briain, no less, tweeted about Rob Kemp’s show last year, and it quickly became an underground cult hit. I was intrigued to see what this newcomer was about.

The premise is simple: The Evil Dead 2 as told through bastardised Elvis Presley songs. Added to it is an abridged version of The Evil Dead 2 being played while Rob Kemp, dressed as Elvis, slowly transforms himself akin to the character in The Evil Dead.

As Kemp said at the start of the night ‘It’s a lot more fun if you sing along’.

Damn, it was one of the best, most fringe shows I’ve ever seen. Midnight at the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club, even in the middle of the week, packed with tipsy comedy fans looking for a good time, and hell Kemp was right; it really is a lot more fun if you sing along.

It was a pretty magical feeling - stepping out of a packed comedy club at 1am, dizzy with joy after spending an hour singing to a crooner who's slowly losing limbs and blood, all without smut or even that many swea

This was a really thrilling, joyous hour of pure fun, silliness for the sake of silliness, and some damn good singing. So good, I’ve booked tickets to watch it again this year.

Score: 10/10

Venue: Monkey Barrel Comedy Club

Show 38: Sam Simmons: A-K

Having won the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2015, it was said that Sam Simmons could even make reading from a telephone book funny – so that’s what he’s tried out to do.

In his Comedian’s Comedian Podcast episode, Simmons said that he knows what he does is funny, and if the audience doesn’t laugh it’s not his fault.

He’s definitely a self-assured comic, and he doesn’t pull and half-punches – the opening of A-K is Simmons dressed in an outlandish dress singing an operatic number in falsetto after which he quickly strips to reveal a cheerleader costume.

It’s a surreal insight into his comic mind, with skits and ideas that jump from place to place – it’s a mental feat just to keep up with this frenzied stream.

There’s no doubting the genius and creativity behind this incredible, bizarre stand-up. He’s not for everyone, but he certainly makes for a bewildering hour of entertainment.

Score: 7/10

Venue: Assembly Rooms, George Square Theatre

Show 37: Nick Helm: Masterworks in Progress '17

I first came across Nick Helm after he was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2013 (his 2^nd nomination). Subsequently he’s appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and I’ve watched him once before this show at the popular and excellent comedy venue The Union Chapel in London.

This was a work-in-progress show trialling material for future works, as such it didn’t have the strongest narrative thread through it, but was multiple rock-style songs, dark poems and witty asides that Helm’s well known for. He’s a mix of loud, bitterness against jilted love and a helpless romantic – it certainly makes for an interesting vibe. Also featured a guest appearance on guitar by David Trent.

Venue: Pleasance Courtyard

Score: No score for work in progress

Show 36: Andy Zaltzman: Satirist for Hire (World of 2017 Special Edition)

I think I first came across Andy Zaltzman via The Bugle Podcast, and subsequently heard more about him via his sister’s podcast ‘Answer Me This’ and his appearance in Kitson’s 2014 show Fuckstorm 3001. I thought it was finally time I gave Andy Zaltzman a watch proper.

His whole career has been based on political satire, and he certainly knows what he’s talking about. So assured is he in his abilities, the premise of the show is that audience members were invited to give him topics to satirise via e-mail, and is he has time then he takes audience suggestions and riffs on them.

Given I’m writing this review nearly a year after I watched, I can’t remember of the material, but I certainly remember being impressed and entertained by his ability to riff and give sharp political spin to the subjects. He’s a master at his art and you’d be sure for a decent hour of comedy from him, especially if you’re more inclined to political topics.

Score: 7/10

Venue: The Stand

Show 35: Michael Legge: Jerk

Michael Legge is a Northern Irish comedian I came across from the comedy panel show podcast ‘Do The Right Thing’. Described by some as ‘the angriest man in comedy’, he lives up to that .

This was a show filled with comic rage; rage against UKIP (in particular UKIP supporter Simon Winger, “that’s his real name, look him up”, in whom Legge finds ridicule and disbelief about the political climate of 2017), rage against big corporations, namely Apple, and rage against himself.

It’s an intense hour of unrelenting savagery that brings endless laughter and shock – he’s not afraid to give his opinion, and thankfully it was a pretty left-leaning room he played to. That said, it’s all suffused with intelligent analysis of why the world has got to where it is, and how we need to be careful not be swept up in the mass hysteria.

His show ends with a tribute to his deceased dog, the titular Jerk, which makes a poignant end to an energetic performance. An assured comedian and a guaranteed hour of laughs and passion.

Score: 8/10

Venue: The Stand

Show 34: Tim Key: Work In Progress (Megadate)

I’ve known about Tim Key for a while – initially through the short-lived but brilliant BBC mock-quiz show ‘We Need Answers’ with Alex Horne and Mark Watson (originally an Edinburgh show), then having seen Tim Key in Daniel Kitson’s production ‘Tree’ and listened to Key’s Comedian’s Comedian Podcast episode, I was finally convinced to see what Key had to offer.

Key has a strong, dominating but almost aloof stage presence. He acknowledges the crowd, but it’s also as if he doesn’t quite trust us, or believe we’re actually here. He seems imperious and separate, like a lion coolly observing its audience through a cage.

Megadate is his work-in-progress show, but it’s pretty well worked up already. It tells the story of his date and his search for his lost hat. The show switches between filmed, arty black-and-white montages of the date and the following day as he goes about his search for his hat, with a detailed chronically of Key’s persistent, perhaps ill-judged texting of his date, who never responds.

Each section of the show is punctuated by a clip, and between each clip is a dazzlingly impressive costume change from Key as he relives his night and retraces his steps.

Throughout he recounts what happened on the date, punctuated with breaks where he recites his famous short poems on playing cards.

Overall this is a magnificent production – this is Key at his prime. He had the audience’s absolute attention, taking us on a bewildering journey in his inimitable style. His persona is a curious blend of ragged detachment, haughty commander and skilled raconteur. He keeps the audience on its toes, forever guessing what’ll happen next and it’s exhilarating.

So thrilled was I from the 2017 work-in-progress I’m watching it again this year.

Key is an exceptionally talented writer and performer – there’s no one quite like him and my God does he know how to play his audience.

Score: 10/10

Venue: Pleasance Dome