one4review | On 13, Aug 2022

Tom Ward is an extremely likeable performer, for those starting to flag a little at 10.30pm then ‘Anthem’ is the perfect pick me up. He gets the audience on his side quickly with ‘I say, you say’s and reassurances of his relatability. Feeling like you’re in capable hands you can just relax, just like you, he owns a massive Sports Direct mug.

He’s able to skewer the minefields of contemporary life without malice or hysteria. The material flows smoothly from elective queerness and greenwashing to selective empathy and the competition of traumas. The show is interspersed with bits of music, which he scrolls through his phone to find, rather than queued through an operator. Which brings with it the vibe of being at a house party. There are some really well set up jokes and big laughs amongst the more personal and anecdotal material.

Tom is at ease with the audience and interacts with generosity. With the help of a willing audience member, given a wig in his signature mod hairstyle (so that he feels part of the band, of course) a pretty convincing improvised anthem is created.

Kudos also goes to Monkey Barrel one for being the most comfortable, pleasingly lit and all-around delightful venue at the Fringe. I was genuinely a bit disappointed when the show ended as I could have easily spent another hour watching Tom Ward there. He has a unique voice that cuts through a lot of the bluster of the Fringe. It ends in an uplifting sing along to which in itself is the perfect punchline to the phrase we’ve been shouting all evening.

4.5****

Reviewed by Sarah

Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 1

22.25 (1hr)

Until 28th Aug (not 15 or 22)