one4review | On 18, Aug 2016

Mark Dolan returns to the Fringe this year with ‘Life Hacks’, a show based on what needs fixing and there sure are plenty, some of which he gives his take on.
Dolan is a very tall amiable forty something comic, never seen without a smile on his face on stage. He uses crowd work as a fall back but this is never threatening, just trying to personalise the show.
2016 has given him plenty of scope, the passing of celebrities, inevitably Brexit, politics gets into the act too, both British and American, the Royal Family, social media and so on. The subject matter is slightly safe but the style and delivery of Dolan is what makes the show a little special as his well thought out writing delivers laughs a plenty throughout the hour.
Dolan is certainly a safe pair of hands when he is in charge of proceedings and this performance is an example that it doesn’t need to be a doom and gloom filled hour to be enjoyable.
The shows message? He sums it up nicely with a short old school flip chart led series of # tips for a better life.
****
Reviewed by Geoff
20.00 to 21.00
Gilded Balloon Sportsmans
Until 29th