Reviews – Page 62 – Squirrel Comedy

Danny Lobell : Broke as a Joke

By Ron Bingham

Danny is a self-described Scottish / New York Jewish comedian and his show is a look back at his youth in and around New York. Unfortunately the Scottish part of his heritage is dismissed early on after one quick joke.

We hear about his father’s penchant for a discount and getting the the best deals around, Danny’s youthful flirtations with a credit card and the consequences when Christine from the debt collectors starts calling. Danny then tells of his start in stand-up comedy, being mentored by the great Jackie Mason, living in a cockroach infested apartment in New York, bad business decisions involving Cornish hairless cats and chickens, a coda of his move to LA and domestic bliss and a message of the importance of living one’s dreams.

The room is small but cosy and the audience were vocal in their appreciation of Danny’s comic timing. Danny is an engaging and cheerful storyteller who gives an hour of fine comedy. Nothing too rude in the routines or their telling, although a bit of the stuff about working the Catskill circuit may be lost on some people.

Broke as a Joke is on at theSpace @ Jury’s Inn until August 25

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/broke-as-a-joke

Demi Lardner : Look what you made me do

By Ron Bingham

This show is a corker! From the first moment that Demi, in the guise of Gavin, enters the stage we are treated to a whirlwind hour of props, sketches and general chaos.

Based loosely on the story of a middle aged man trapped in his basement, he’s forced to answer questions for a phone survey and suffers a number of hallucinations. There are songs and dances (including a bit of strobe lighting), some dubious drawings (one of which is available as a postcard at the end of the show), a sidekick in the form of one of the ladies from the show Double Denim and a main actor who performs a well scripted hour. It’s not at all highbrow comedy and had the audience in stitches.

This show has won a couple of awards (including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director’s Choice) and it really delivers on the laughs. There are some rude words, a naughtily erotic story and one truly appalling pun to do with a horse.

This is a show that won’t disappoint.

Look what you made me do is on at Underbelly, Cowgate until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/demi-lardner-look-what-you-made-me-do

Phil Ellis Has Been on Ice

By Ron Bingham

What a gloriously shambolic hour of deliberately bad comedy we had here. The premise is that Phil was frozen three years ago due to an incurable disease and now that a cure is available he has been unfrozen. First he is required to undergo a series of tests and challenges to determine whether it will work.

These tests involve selected audience members and are extremely humiliating (but only for Phil). It’s worth coming to see this show just to see whether Phil can survive to the end as he really does go overboard in trying to destroy himself (especially his knees). There was also one routine where he had to undergo exercises and chose a VERY fit gent from the audience to challenge him. I have never seen a man go that particular shade of purple (or a random audience member do quite so many one handed push-ups).

The audience were in stitches at a lot of the ridiculous stunts and I haven’t laughed out loud so much in ages. Don’t go expecting any highly crafted verbal gymnastics or elaborate props/puppets and you’ll get to see an excellent hour of very silly comedy with a little message of hope at the end.

Phil Ellis Has Been on Ice is on at Just the Tonic at The Mash House until August 27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/phil-ellis-has-been-on-ice

Adam Vincent – How Not to Kill Yourself When Living in the Suburbs

By Colin Flaherty

It’s been I while since I have caught the stand up of Adam Vincent, probably before he moved to London five years ago. His show How Not to Kill Yourself When Living in the Suburbs sees him present his quirky world view to a regularly packed room (my tardiness saw me standing up the back of the dungeon type venue). The title pretty much covers what you can expect – tales and jokes about living in the suburbs – being unfulfilled with your lot and feeling generally frustrated with the world. He tells amusing stories about spousal grumblings, the drudgery of work, free loading mates and technological issues.

Adam regularly presents us with bleak material but his friendly stage manner makes it easily palatable. He tests the boundaries early on but as he plows on regardless, he doesn’t lose anyone. Vincent has a bit of a world weary, downtrodden vibe to him that is delivered with a cheeky smirk. He does mock outrage well and gives us a bit of “having a breakdown on stage” ranting. He talks of anger management issues but his laid back Aussie attitude hides it well outside of the odd comical outburst.

It was a nice touch including some appropriate songs as intro and outro tunes. Singing along the words “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” (the original NOT the Angels version!) is a cathartic release for everyone and hints at what is to follow. This is a note perfect exploration into the dark yet hilarious undercurrent of suburbia.

How Not to Kill Yourself When Living in the Suburbs is on at Laughing Horse @ Espionage until August 27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/adam-vincent-how-not-to-kill-yourself-when-living-in-the-suburbs

Simon Munnery – Renegade Plumber

By Colin Flaherty

There was a time when Simon Munnery concentrated on high concept art pieces (such as Fylm Makker and the La Concepta Restaurant) but over the past couple of years he has gone back to straight stand up. The latest is Renegade Plumber and it is a brilliant offering by the master of surreal satire.

Munnery’s shows are always scatter shot affairs full of random musings but this is one of the few times that he appears to stick to a theme. His centrepiece story has him playing the part of the titular Renegade plumber – creating a solution to heating a tent in a cold climate. Other creative examples of this mad scientist cum performance artist pop up during the show (such as his invented sport “Night-cock” a night time version of shuttlecock) but he also tells of times he bodged together solutions to life’s interpersonal problems.

His stage persona comes across a little “rabbit in the headlights” but his words pack a hilarious punch. Audiences often begin a little wary of his strange world view but quickly warm to his quirky charm. He produces a number of wonderful props to surprise and delight. The inclusion of a lengthy letter from his daughter adds authenticity to a routine…but it all could be a ruse, couldn’t it?

Munnery treats us to some songs that are sung in a manner like Billy Bragg. The first is a protest song about Glasgow’s 1915 rent strike called “Mrs Barbour’s Army”, which is very educational after he comically deciphers the lyrics, and we all join in singing along to the chorus. He later sings some silly football chants about various supermarket chains which are hilarious in their focus and brevity.

The mixture of fascinating stories and surreal one liners in Renegade Plumber make a delightful hour in the presence of a master craftsman of comedy.

Renegade Plumber is on at The Stand 1 until August 28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/simon-munnery-renegade-plumber

Andrew O’Neill’s Black Magick Fun Hour

By Colin Flaherty

A mysterious sombre figure walks through the room, with incense smouldering, reciting an incantation to the Greek God Hermes. As he enters the light of the stage and puts down his accoutrements (as some confused punters quickly depart) he is revealed to be comedian Andrew O’Neill. So begins the Black Magick Fun Hour, the reworking of a show which was to be titled “Andrew O’Neill is Trapped Down a Well”. He has managed to meld that concept into the new one without too many seams showing and produce a humorous look at the cosmic forces around .

The main theme of the show is O’Neill’s dabbling with Black Magick. He explores how the Gods will give you what you ask for, but usually in ways you did not expect. In between stories of various rituals he has performed, living with his cat Ghost (and wife) and some wicked digs at the comedy industry, we get his usual ADHD fuelled flights of random nonsense.

Despite his scary appearance (to the Grannies at least!) O’Neill has a charmingly personable stage persona. Left of centre observations and clever wordplay are always a given at his shows. He prowls the stage when the story needs a bit of menace and puts on silly accents to flesh out the characters in his anecdotes. He is a joy to witness when in full flight.

In a move he considers selling out, a few metal tunes with parody lyrics are performed containing UK-centric references that flew over my head but got plenty of laughs from the surrounding audience.

If you like silly material with plenty of depth to it and a bit of cosmic philosophising, O’Neill is your man. Just don’t go in expecting stage magic (which happens to be what’s on in the other room) or you’ll be quite bewildered.

Black Magick Fun Hour is on at Liquid Room Annexe until August 27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/andrew-o-neill-s-black-magick-fun-hour-free