one4review | On 21, Aug 2026

Tonight, the Sam Rhodes collective is dealing with more than the usual Edinburgh Fringe nerves. After biblical, wrath-of-God-type rain, two venues at Hoots Apex have had their roofs collapse and flooded out. Acts are being cancelled, and the true spirit of the Fringe is kicking in throughout the venue, with staff and performers helping each other with clean-ups and support.

In this case, Rhodes’ wife, Maria Fedulova, has seen her venue fall to the elements, so Sam has agreed to share his stage with her.

Fedulova, originally from Russia, delivers a brilliant short set. The obvious cultural differences, along with beating the trend of being married to another comedian for richer or very poorer, shape her material. Her take on British social-status bureaucratic snobbery while adopting a dog. Her solution is simple: tame a fox.

It’s Rhodes’ turn. “What is the difference between a collector and a hoarder? Shelves.”

He is showing off his comic brawn early, launching into his lifelong obsession with collecting all things plastic fantastic. In this case, it’s his beloved He-Man figures, alongside the killjoys who frown upon such pursuits – the “Thieves of Joy”. His affection for the obscure world of collecting is infectious, a real wealth of nerdy delights. It’s all remarkably relatable and beautifully done, whether he’s talking about being the top cat in the nerdosphere or his collection of the characters and creatures that populated that plastic universe.

This show is a delight. There’s a glow to the whole thing too. What could easily become a straightforward nerdgasm instead becomes a celebration of the things we obsess over, the memories attached to them, and what makes us happy. By the end, this late-night Fringe audience has found plenty to love, giving both acts a well-deserved standing ovation.

The dream team of Rhodes and Fedulova seem to have found the comedic elixir of true love: in adversity, supporting each other, putting your partner centre stage and surrounding yourselves with Skeletor toys and feral animals.

See them both in full comic flow.

4 stars ****
Reviewed by Steve H.
Hoot 5 at Hoots @ The Apex
Until 31st August (excl. 24th)
21:50 – 22:40