one4review | On 13, Aug 2026

Comedy. There’s a lot of it about. But what is comedy? What types of comedy are there? And which is definitively the best comedy? All questions us mere mortals are unfit to contemplate. Fortunately, Zachary Ruane, self-proclaimed comedy genius is here to give us the answers.

Known for his decades-long association with Aussie sketch comedy powerhouse Aunty Donna – with a Netflix series and hundreds of millions of views on their online content – the “multi-hyphenate” Ruane arrives in Edinburgh with his first solo show, which he promises will be “the most important and definitive comedic work of the 21st century”(!).

Fortunately, this swagger doesn’t last. While Ruane pretends to present himself as an egotistical mega star, it’s not long before the persona cracks and the cheeky, playful, giggly comedian underneath shows through. Ruane has a habit, whether real or affected, of cracking up mid-bit as if he’s only just realising how silly what he’s doing is and while in some comedians this can get tiring quickly, with Ruane it’s infectious and charming.

The show is structured as a lecture on the different types of comedy available, but doesn’t get too far before getting distracted, particularly by analysing the depressingly common format of podcasts where “the boys” sit around and “hash it out”. As the show unfolds it becomes clear that it isn’t so much about asking what comedy is, but more establishing what comedy isn’t, in particular challenging the assertion that comedy is somehow in crisis because comedians “can’t say anything anymore”.

It’s a good premise and it allows Ruane to have his comedy cake and eat it too by criticising a style of comedy before performing it more or less unaltered to the delight of an audience who can now appreciate it both ironically and unironically. It’s a wonderfully clever bit and makes for a great laugh.

The show is produced with some pleasing visuals particularly the title cards and a tour de force of silliness in the finale, as well as a couple of impressively performed songs.

While the core message of the show, about the types of people who believe, or pretend to believe, comedians “can’t say anything anymore” perhaps does feel a little stale for 2026 and doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table, that doesn’t make it less relevant or heartfelt. And there’s never a bad reason to have a pop at Joe Rogan and his ilk.

Overall, the show is a confident and capable solo debut from a performer who’s already given the comedy world a lot and clearly still has lots to give.

*****

18:35 (1 hour)

5th-30th (not 12th 19th or 25th)

Above at Pleasance Courtyard