one4review | On 11, Aug 2026

Best known for his viral The Room Next Door sketches, Michael returns to The Fringe with his brand new show; Hope All’s Well. The show is less stand up and more a mix of video sketches with some familiar characters that Michael cleverly interacts with.

There is sharp political analysis and the theme is generally – the modern world is doomed. Our lack of attention span is killing our enjoyment of a gentle Mid Summer Murder style show, we could once enjoy without scrolling. Michael yearns for the good old days when life was simpler. You kind of knew where you were with the Tories and Thatcher in the 80’s. There is a running gag of the algorithms targeting Michael, as he approaches his fifties, with ads for cruises and comfortable chairs.

Trump, of course, is an easy target for political satire. We are shown clips of Trump, just being absurd, more ridiculous and nonsensical than almost any fictitious character Michael could create.

Michael is not a natural performer and shines more on video than in his live performance. The show lacks a certain live experience as we don’t get to know anything more of our host apart from, that is, his love of his Ronald MacDonald pen. A much missed and cherished reminder of growing up in a different, simpler time.

3.5 Stars ***
Reviewed by Margot
August 5th to 16th at 16:40
Assembly George Square Studio Three