one4review | On 24, Aug 2025

Nick Mohammed’s camp, northern, comedic, sparkly jacket, bow tie wearing alter ego; AKA Mr Swallow performs to a packed Playhouse audience. Let the mayhem begin as Mr Swallow launches straight in to a rambling routine ridiculing the Lego age limits on their various builds. It’s silly, funny and completely engaging as the well crafted story telling is performed effortlessly with only a sparse few props on stage.

There is literally a sprinkling of magic throughout the show. There are some very clever magic tricks involving audience participation. There is an impressive Rubik’s Cube trick and even more impressive trick involving numbers, and weight related number of cards, which ultimately leads to the finale of the show.

We also hear a very funny story of pitching a sitcom idea to a TV commissioner fixated on highlighting the Asian element that’s not really in the mix at all! Nick very occasionally breaks character and this is to explain the 2024 BAFTAs appearance. He explains that his initial act was vetoed as it was deemed too expensive to use the relevant music and permission was not granted by Composer John Williams. This resulted in a quickly reimagined sketch involving a fully in character Mr Swallow on roller skates to a bemused and very serious audience of BAFTA members!

Curiously there is a warm up act half way through the show. Amy Gledhill is introduced just after the opening sketch and takes us to the interval. She does a fine job of keeping the fun atmosphere going, with everyday relatable stories on topics such as dating and her experience of trying some chocolates laced with something slightly illegal, bought off the internet.

Mr Swallow returns to the stage in full variety entertainer regalia. Mr Swallow was inspired by an English teacher and the stage is set with some classroom props, a blackboard and some desks. This is used to present a trick which builds and closes the show. This is traditional variety entertainment and it works so well.

4 stars
Reviewed by Margot

Edinburgh Playhouse
August 22nd @ 19:30