one4review | On 11, Aug 2026

Patrick Monahan has been coming to the Fringe for well over 20 years, yet each show he does seems as fresh as a daisy, partly because he does have a tendency to get so involved with his crowd work, identifying people to call back to when required, something that he absolutely excels at.
As usual Monaghan bounds on stage smiling and welcoming everyone briefly warming people up, like they need it, and into the story of his early life. Born in Iran into an Irish/Iranian family, the family moved to Teeside, not without trauma, when he was 4 years old and acquired a nickname when he would have preferred a different one.
He briefly covers events that happened ‘explaining’ references to the younger element, playing with the audience, mining laughs, more than plenty throughout his hour. Oh and of course it wouldn’t be his Fringe show without a few of the audience up on stage dancing with him to the finale.
And did we get the complete show? Of course not. Did we care? Not a jot. Had we had an hour of fun, frivolity and entertainment? You betcha.
****1/2
Reviewed by Geoff
Gilded Balloon Patterhouse Dram
21.00 to 22.00
Until 31 August