5 Stars

*****

Mr Burns was sadly missing from last years Fringe and for all his army of fans it was a poorer place without him.

But fear not. He is back.

The Burns of years gone by was not necessarily as easy watch. He could be up there with the best when it comes to ranting, causing offence in some quarters, but always, always an entertainer with strong opinions he was happy to share.

I hate to use the term mellowed when it comes to this Aussie Alpha male, let’s just say he has perhaps matured, partly due to circumstances partly due to being a happily married man and because like us all getting older.

Don’t get me wrong, he can still mix it if he wants to, and proves the point when it is required, but at times there is a pleasingly, I hesitate to say softer side to this show, a balance that has not always been there before.

I loved it. I loved his if.Comedy award winning show of a few years ago and for me this is right up there with it. There is plenty of the Brendon of old with the added extras.

I’m sure this could actually gain him new fans who were perhaps a little intimidated by him in the past, and for the diehards the fist is still there just occasionally in a velvet glove.

Reviewed by Geoff

Pleasance King Dome

1-26 August (not 9, 16, 23)

22-00 to 23-00