one4review | On 07, Aug 2024

It is always good to have something that can be relied upon and in Fringe terms it is a certainty that an hour spent in the company of Andrew Maxwell is a guarantee of 60 minutes of top-quality fare.
Andrew Maxwell has always drawn huge audiences as long as I’ve been seeing him and it is easy to understand why. He is a laid-back performer, he writes oh so well, he has a host of stories, often self-deprecating, but is always drawn a whole load of laughs while doing so. Add to that his undoubtable stage presence and cheeky persona and there is a recipe for success.
Maxwell states that having reached 50 he has given up! No not performing thank goodness, but on searching for awards and the like. His family makes him the happiest these days, but his set include wickedly observed stories on politics, Essex gigs, how Irish sectarianism has evolved, trips to Australia, night club bouncers and an unfortunate WhatsApp photo sent to the wrong person. Maxwell paints images vividly with his words, that one could believe you were there.
There was a poignancy about the recent death of his father. Andrew has spoken of him in previous shows, and there obviously was a strong bond, even if his father preferred another Irish comedian to his son. An anecdote about attending a rugby match shortly after this sad occasion was touching, but as with everything else Maxwell delivers there is a laugh out loud finale.
*****
Reviewed by Geoff
Just The Tonic Nucleus
17.40 to 18.40
Until 25th August (not 12th)