Bob Blackman’s Local – 3***

This show is almost impossible to describe, without spoilers. It’s packed with silliness, changes of pace, and random, utterly surreal moments. I don’t even know if this is a recommendation or a warning. Not every gag or skit hits the … Read More

James Dowdeswell: Wine, Ale and I – 4****

I was sold on this show by the promise of learning how to get free wine, but there’s so much more to it than that – an education in wine and beers, and also plenty of gags.

Dowdeswell is a … Read More

The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast with Stuart Goldsmith – 3***

The premise of this show is simple. Comedian Stuart Goldsmith interviews a fellow comedian – in this case Bridget Christie – about the art, business, or simply life of being a comedian.

Obviously each show is different, as the guest … Read More

Thom Tuck: The Square Root of Minus One 4****

This show wasn’t in the Fringe guide, but is under of one of the free festival umbrellas, so I’m counting it as Fringe. However, that means you might only know about it if you know about Thom Tuck, … Read More

John Robertson: The Dark Room 5*****

I had a mild panic during the explanation of the rules that participation would be compulsory and that I wouldn’t have a clue what to do. There are three reasons this was unnecessary. Firstly, participation is (except in … Read More

Old Folks Telling Jokes 2**

I really don’t know what to make of this show. A couple of minutes into her set, Charmian Hughes (very good, as attested elsewhere on this site) asked if ‘Lewis did this to you?’ Yes. He did. I’m … Read More

Paco Erhard: Worst. German. Ever. – 4****

Paco Erhard was, while in Berlin, heckled with the accusation of being the worst German ever, an accolade which most can agree already has the odd hot contender.

On stage he comes across as a very likeable German. He’s not … Read More

Thinking Standing Up – 2**

This show was not a bad show. As a line up of a few comics, I have seen much worse. However, it was not by any stretch of the imagination, what the title, and information suggested it would be.

This … Read More

The News at Kate: Leftie Cock Womble – 5*****

As someone with socialist leanings myself, Kate Smurthwaite’s show title was always going to appeal, though I remain unsure – as does she – as to exactly what a Cock Womble is, and whether those who called her this, during … Read More

Gary Colman: ChUNT – The Verb to Grumble – 3***

The start of this show is low key, and followed by the sad topic of an ill dog. During this tale, Colman is disrupted by someone leaving, very slowly. Despite this rudeness, Colman milks every possible bit of comedy out … Read More