one4review | On 17, Aug 2022

Alex MacKeith, he tells us, used to do sketch comedy, before health issues intervened, and now he’s here presenting this wonderful musical comedy gig. The route sucks, but his songs are a net benefit to the world, and he’s built something lovely out of a crappy thing. Most of the mid-afternoon audience seemed to think so too, apart from the old fart in the middle of the front row, who, to Mr MacKeith’s credit, didn’t visibly knock him off his stride.

This is a comedy-songs gig, rather than stand-up-with-some-songs, so there’s some chat to introduce the songs and give some context, but it’s mostly about the songs. Mr MacKeith accompanies himself on an acoustic guitar, and from it caresses a range of styles and moods as the subject matter requires. He’s as a good singer as guitarist, bringing exactly the right emotion for each song, especially the final one, which I would love to see recorded and released into the world.

Generally the show sits within the realms of relatable and mainstream funny, but there are points when Mr MacKeith allows his mischievous sense of the surreal to escape, as in the song about the eel, or the one about the horse, and it adds a lovely extra frisson to the show.

Mr MacKeith claims that this is comedy-as-therapy. When done right, that sort of comedy can be cleansing and cathartic (as well as enjoyable) for the audience too – and this show certainly is.

Reviewed by Laura

Underbelly Bristo Square
14:45