one4review | On 06, Aug 2024

Adam Hills has earned his stripes on the Fringe for over 20 years, being
nominated for the Perrier (now Edinburgh Comedy Awards) with Go You Big
Red Fire Engine and Happy Feet. After four years away he is still a
lighthearted yet consumate comedy entertainer enjoying himself onstage
and making everyone so happy, having after years storming the comedy
circuit found a wider fanbase by becoming host of Channel 4s award
winning Last Leg multi-series. So whichever way you look at it,
naturally his shows, in the biggest space in Edinburgh that feels like
an almost intimate comedy room, have been selling out.

Adam is hugely liked off stage and on, where he always discovers
audience members who delightedly are included briefly in his show. In
one of his nominated shows in a cellar in Blair Street, he had the place
in uproar when four young and excited volunteers from the audience
formed an ‘air band’ on the cramped stage. He is always inventive, and
this year we not only had happy volunteers, but also were saying No to
Mariachi.

He is unfailingly warm and endearing, with everything in his admittedly
middle of the road show so well thought through that it is really easy
for absolutely everyone to be drawn in and enjoy – and as always he
happily puts himself on the line. He has irrepressible energy, and on
the basis of this show alone everyone in the room would have adored to
have had him as their uncle.

But back to the show itself, which it might be a surprise after the
previous paragraphs to learn includes disability (he plays for the
Disability Rugby League in Warrington), politics (“if there was less
shouting over the last few weeks, the UK would be good”), religion, the
Australian accent, trans (with advice he was given that “you don’t have
to get it to respect it”), and child related inappropriateness. And oh
yes, he made comedy gold of all that which is mind-blowing, and the
delighted audience laughed and laughed.

Go see him if there are still tickets, but if not make sure not to miss
him next year or when he’s touring near you – and take everyone from
teenagers to great grandparents.

*****
Reviewed by HJ
Assembly Rooms-Music Hall
18.50 (1hr)
Until 11th Aug