one4review | On 18, Aug 2025

Comedy Club 4 Kids is exactly what it says on the tin. A fast, friendly hour of Fringe stand-ups that the whole family will enjoy; it has a different line-up every day. On this occasion we had Sikisa host, and she got the room laughing with lively call-and-response and cheeky crowd work about ages, pets, and where everyone had travelled from, then gave us an immigration-test anecdote to keep the grown-ups engaged. Two guest comics followed. Mark Watson played with deliberately “failing” magic, an invisibility attempt, a missing shoe, and escalating audience detective work, while Andy Barr arrived as a deadpan “British Shapes Council” professor, corralling the crowd through chaotic geometry, a feedback form, and an unstoppable “cheese” outburst from the children. Around the edges, the show mixed a kids’ open mic of quick one-liners, a silly-dance contest for parents, and a post-show offer of stickers and a £5 joke-writing book, small touches that make the experience feel complete.

As an audience experience, it’s warm, noisy, and happily anarchic. Kids are invited in early and asked their names, ambitions, and even gaming preferences so the room feels safe to shout, try a gag, or own a mistake. The energy rises in waves: bursts of whooping to bring on acts, giggles at physical business, and gleeful groans when punchlines land twice. Watson’s crowd-chat about “weird kids at school” and the occasional Frappuccino detour kept parents amused while the children enjoyed the mischief of a grown-up losing track of his shoe. Barr’s faux lecture hit that sweet spot where nonsense meets structure; the running joke about shapes that aren’t quite shapes let kids “correct” the expert, which is catnip for confidence and laughs.

Strengths are clear: a welcoming MC, real festival-level comedians, and big, low-stakes participation that sends families out buzzing. Where it wobbles is pacing; Watson’s shoe saga and some extended Q&A patches drift into mild chaos, which could use firmer timekeeping to maintain momentum for younger attention spans. Still, with line-ups that refresh daily, you’re likely to catch something that feels new. On this bill, Andy Barr was clearly the standout; he had great character work managing the bedlam. The result is a solid family hour, recommended probably more for children (and patient adults) who enjoy joining in, shouting along, and laughing at the mess as much as the punchlines.

***1/2

Reviewed by Matthew

Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo

15.05 (1hr)

Until 24 Aug