****

Dan Nightingale is an unknown name to me and I would suspect he is to many who regularly attend the Fringe. He last appeared at the Underbelly in 2008. If he has been away honing up his act, then it has certainly paid dividends. He has constructed an hour of comedy with piles and piles of strong material ranging from the funny to belly laugh funny.

His lengthy title could be reduced to one word – insecurities. With a booking at the Fringe set up many months ago, he toyed with various ideas but discarded one after the other. These are shown on a power point display with each idea being humorously represented by a possible flier showing him in various poses wearing different headgear. In truth, not so different from the posters we see displayed all over the city.

This approach gives him the opportunity to adopt various styles from camp to observational. He confidently nails the punch lines both in his own voice and in the clever characterisations he performs. His interaction with individuals in the audience is quick and he takes the joke onto himself. He does give himself some room for ad-libbing.

Having enjoyed this show, I hope it is not another four years before we wait for the next one, but please not such a long title with a fraction.

Reviewed by Ben

Pleasance Dome: 23

1 to 26 August 2012 (not 13)

18.50 – 19.50

Fringe Programme Page Number: 63