Edinburgh Fringe 2017 – Page 6

Lauren Pattison – Lady Muck

By Ron Bingham

Eighteen months ago, Lauren decided to move from Newcastle and attempt to build a career as a stand-up comedian in London – all whilst maintaining a long distance relationship with her boyfriend back home. Almost immediately things started to go wrong (especially when she realised there’s no money in comedy). Lauren takes us through her time in London – particularly how she has managed to survive all the adversity to come out a stronger person.

On this journey, we hear about ghosting relationships and how all her schoolmates are doing. She offers theories about what you can tell from what is in someone’s shopping basket and why people on Tinder who are just that bit too eager should be avoided at all costs. She explains why advice from audience members at comedy gigs is never very helpful and how you finalise a relationship properly. We even hear a lot of revelatory stories about how young Geordies start drinking.

Lauren may claim to lack self-confidence, but her stand-up skills are strong and her story-telling is engaging and entertaining. Her message at the end of the show is empowering and there are lots of laughs in this show. No audience participation is required (frowned upon, if anything) and there’s a fair amount of swearing.

The show was sold out, so it may be a good idea to book ahead for this one. Recommended.

Lady Muck is on at Pleasance Courtyard until August 28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lauren-pattison-lady-muck

Phil Wang – Kinabalu

By Colin Flaherty

Phil Wang is back at the Fringe to entertain the masses with his comedy gold. He’s made a name for himself on various television programmes and the packed room reflects this. Everyone wants to witness the charm and humour of the The Wang Man!

Wang exudes a hilarious uber confidence combined with a dorky air that works a treat. Constantly referring to himself in the third person with a seemingly endless list of pun names, he teases us for not being as sophisticated as him before revealing each comic foible. His vocal cadence reminds me of a crazy eccentric gent, drawing out thoughts and syllables for maximum wackiness and hitting you with an off the wall statement.

Observational jokes are his game. Fear for pleasure, adulthood, relationships and babies are some of the topics that come under his gaze. He sneaks in a bit of gear on colonialism and racism that goes to some vaguely unpopular places but nothing too outrageous. Having Malaysian parentage allows him to get away with a lot and gives him a hilarious outsiders’ perspective. He also does it so politely and cheerfully that it’s impossible to take offence.

Kinabalu is a solid crowd pleasing hour of laughs delivered by a fascinating comedic voice. This young performer has developed a brilliant stage persona that is a joy to watch and will serve him well as he goes on to bigger things.

Kinabalu is on at Pleasance Courtyard until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/phil-wang-kinabalu

Imaginary Radio- Drennon Davis

By Colin Flaherty

Imaginary Radio is a show in which American comedian Drennon Davis presents kooky radio broadcasts from his helmet receiver. With help from a rotating cast of co-stars (on this particular evening they were Nick Stargu and Jim Hickox) and a plethora of electronic gadgets, Davis brings these crazy stations to life – witless DeeJays banter, hilarious songs from each broadcasters’ playlist are played, adverts for bizarre products bend your brain and strange game shows beat you over the head.

Hickox warmed up the crowd with a bit of silly stand up using a unique approach – performing via camera from the rear of the room and adding witty text comments as he told the jokes. It was a gentle and fascinating way to start this multimedia show.

The humour runs the gamut from sharp social and political satire to pure stupid silliness. Daft impersonations of various singers and parodies of musical styles make up the bulk of the show but the crazy antics surrounding them prevents things from becoming a relentless musical comedy jukebox.

This is a very tech heavy show with colourful slides illustrating the logo of each station, sound effects punctuating the skits and all the cabling required for Davis to work his vocal magic. Davis uses loop pedals and beat-boxing to create the songs with Stargu adding some keyboards and harmonies to fill out the sound. The tunes themselves are great fun, hilarious and don’t outstay their welcome. Some are short and sweet while the longer ones are chock full of interesting and amusing ideas.

Davis and Stargu bounced off each other seamlessly – from surreal ad copy to exchanging lines in song, they were a brilliant double act. Hickox popped up again as various crazy characters to confuse and abuse the audience – a great way to add more lunacy to an already chaotic show.

If you’re looking for a immensely fun and hilarious off the wall show with lots of colour, movement and music Imaginary Radio is the perfect pick.

Imaginary Radio is on at Just the Tonic at The Mash House until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/imaginary-radio

Richard Herring: Oh frig, I’m 50!

By Lisa Clark

Richard is shocked to find he is turning 50. This show is a sort of follow up, or perhaps, a 10th anniversary of his Fuck I’m 40 show. He has kindly provided crowdfunded programmes on the seats, just in case you haven’t followed Richard Herring’s career. We also get some time to peruse them before the show starts.

This is a pleasant show about a lads lad manchild dealing with aging, being ignored by the younger babes and getting used to being married with kids. The most interesting point he made was that being 50 and ignored by Babes made him realise that this was the 1st time that a white privileged male felt a little of what it was like to not have that privilege. To drop in the pecking order of life. The rest felt a little annoyingly like humblebragging.

Richard had several stories to tell around fatherhood – he’s had a daughter since he was 40 and there is another on the way. Talking about the joys of sharing his kids toys and some of his kid’s TV shows are the highlights and he’s brought a gorgeous ‘Penguin Race’ toy to show us. He talks about the consequences of some of his newspaper articles and I can see why the guy behind me in the queue before the show was saying how he went out of his way to get the newspaper to read Richard’s column. Richard is a great story teller and the jokes keep rolling throughout.

Some of Richard’s filthy tales are not for those looking for a comfortable ride. Otherwise it’s a pretty run of the mill show for a talented, middle aged comedian and a friendly catchup for his fans.

Richard Herring: Oh frig, I’m 50! is on at Pleasance Courtyard until August 26

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/richard-herring-oh-frig-i-m-50

Juliette Burton – Butterfly Effect

By Ron Bingham

Good luck trying to get a ticket for Juliette’s show, as it is selling out days in advance, and that is no surprise. This is a well crafted show about the crazy year that Juliette has had and how being unexpectedly kind can have far reaching positive consequences.

In previous shows, Juliette has spoken about her mental health issues and her relationships with her partner, friends and family. This show continues the theme with a little more detail about her parents and their effect on her. We have some video footage of Juliette out and about testing some theories about cat-calling and kindness. There are some lovely hand drawn illustrations and a challenge posed to the audience at the end.

The pace of the show is relentless. There is a lot of story and comedy to get through and there is hardly a moment to catch your breath from the time the show starts to when it ends (there may be presents after the show, as well).

If you love a good solid hour of honest story-telling with a lot of love and humanity, plus a bunch of very funny jokes, then I can only suggest booking tickets as fast as you can. Uplifting, entertaining and engaging.

Butterfly Effect is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/juliette-burton-butterfly-effect

Alice Devlin – Extra-Curricular

By Ron Bingham

North Londoner Alice has reached a crossroads in her life. Should she stick with a job she hates? (that brings in money for food and rent) or should she use one of her “special” skills and attempt to forge a career doing something she loves?

This show is meant to help her decide, with the help of the audience (there is only a little voluntary audience participation). We get to see some of Alice’s skills, which include dancing (ballet and tap), juggling, playing a musical instrument, hula-hoop, mime, an unconvincing Australian accent, hosting a radio show and so much more. If you’re lucky you may even receive a totally imaginary cup of your favourite coffee.

The show is rated 14+ but there is nothing of an offensive nature (and the first girl in the audience Alice spoke to was 13). The show starts at 11.40 and is a lovely way to start the day, as Alice keeps the pace well, there are a lot of very funny moments, and you even get a bit of dancing.

Extra-Curricular is on at Just the Tonic at The Mash House until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alice-devlin-extra-curricular