one4review | On 11, Aug 2026

For more than 20 years now Carl Donnelly has been a Fringe regular, popular, a raconteur and always very funny.

So why would a little inconvenience like now living in Melbourne stop him continuing with his habit and true to form the man turns in a well-crafted thoroughly enjoyable hour even if it is only for a week.

Playing to a packed-out room this is in many ways a different Donnelly than those day of yore. True he still has the same comedic ability, the skill to draw laughs out any situation and the relaxed chilled out performed he already was but maybe maturing to have more important things in his life than before, mostly his family especially his kids.

The material has a lot of comparisons between his previous life in the UK and the new life in Aus, schools, Borders, Xmas dinners and so on, the changes in both the crime rate in the UK and the changing face of the Fringe these days. When he started it was more of a lad culture about the performers, but now he is looked on as an uncle figure, the vibe has changed. He has enjoyed being back for a week, but Carl wants to get back to his family.

The show was an excellent reminder of his skill. His material as always well crafted and as for the story of taking his late father on one last pub crawl had everyone in stitches.

**** 1/2

Reviewed by Geoff

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