one4review | On 27, Aug 2026

I hold the slightly controversial opinion that almost every comedy show would be improved by the inclusion of some PowerPoint. Comedians are, after all, predominantly storytellers, and everyone knows that visual aids help in storytelling. Then you add all the bonuses of being able to add in sight-gags, animation and video…it just feels like a natural progression. Fortunately, at least some people seem to agree with me including the dashing duo of Ethan Cavanagh and Sweeney Preston two Aussie comedians who’re bringing their brand of slidedeck-heavy silliness to the Edinburgh Fringe after sell-out seasons at Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Preston and Cavanagh are a pair of good looking (almost distractingly so) dapper hosts who present a changing lineup of comedians all wielding a positive attitude and a powerpoint presentation. The MC double act do a great job setting the tone and style with their opening act, focussing around their efforts to identify what their actual “business” is, employing the cheapest professional analyst they could find and whether every business can be broken down into the classic categories of butcher, baker and candlestick maker.

The guest lineup on the night I attended included comedy game shows from 2 Muslim 2 Furious (Aisha Amanduri and Hasan Al-Habib), musical mayhem from Charlene Kaye, a guide to how to judge potential boyfriends by their house plants from Claire Hooper, some musings on magic from the Insane Magic trio of Cameron Gibson, Elliot Bibby and Luke Osey and finally the insanely high-energy quick puns of Andy Onions. It was a great, varied lineup, though some of the acts were clearly more comfortable with the PowerPoint aspect of the show than others, which I imagine is a common thing throughout all the lineups.

There was perhaps a slight tonal clash with the gentile and nerdy nature of the PowerPoint gimmick bouncing against the slightly more late-night stand up nature of some of the hosting, who were happy to rib their acts and audience when they feel it’ll get a laugh, but nothing too jarring.

Overall, if you attend this show for a laugh you’re in two safe pairs of hands and in for a great little slice of the geekier side of the Fringe.

****
Reviewed by Tom

23:20

7th-29th (Fri & Sat Only)

Studio Three at Assembly George Square Studios