one4review | On 22, Aug 2023

It was back in 2014 when I first saw Dane Baptiste, the year he was deservedly nominated for Best Newcomer Award, and I have seen him a couple of times since. He hasn’t been at the Fringe for 5 years now, he opens with, but judging by the very busy afternoon crowd he still has a big following.
Of course many TV and radio appearances have kept him in the public eye, but it is here, live with an audience that he can really show off his comedic abilities.
Baptiste seems slightly less angry these days. He partly puts it down to growing older and being in a stable relationship, even impending fatherhood, but he still has strong opinions that he is keen to share. Racism obviously, politicians, Chris Rock and Will Smith, hair loss, the fine line between flirtation and harassment, gender pay gap and Only Fans’ pages come under his gaze along with much, much more.
Dane is not an in-you-face comedian, he does interact and occasionally poll his audience, but the well written show explores ideas and ruminations, but is never far from the next big laugh.
It was good to see him back in Edinburgh. Hopefully it won’t be long until his next visit.
****
Reviewed by Geoff
Monkey Barrel Hive 1
16.15 – 17.15
Until 27th August