Reviews – Page 65 – Squirrel Comedy

Bec Hill – Out of Order

By Lisa Clark

Bec Hill is always delightful. Looking for an hour of joy and laughs at the Fringe? You just can’t go past whatever show Bec is doing each year and 2017 is no exception. Out of Order, is definitely the show you ordered.

I haven’t seen Bec perform live for a number of years and I was pleased to learn that she still uses her flip charts to tell funny stories (three in this show). There was a time several years ago when butcher paper flip charts were all the rage. Many gave up their flip charts and moved on to white boards or, like Bob Dylan, went electric with multimedia laptop slide shows etc. but Bec has stuck with her flip charts and has gotten better to the point of creating a new and exciting artform. There is smoke, glitter, things blow up and off her butcher paper. Her inventiveness is utterly enchanting.

Bec’s conceit is a large board covered in post-it notes, with topics written on each one. She encourages the audience to yell out topics and her show will follow the audience’s whims. Hopefully no show will be exactly the same. Certainly not in the same order. Some of her topics are short jokes and some are longer stories, they are colour coded so the audience knows. What the audience doesn’t know at the outset is what the balls we are all handed will be used for. We do find out of course.

Yes, there is a little audience participation but no more than the gentlest of type where all the audience takes part and no one is forced to. Importantly, rather than trying to embarrass an audience member or set someone apart, Bec is all about sharing the space and everyone creating a show they can enjoy together. For the brightest spot in the Edinburgh showers, go see Bec Hill.

Out of Order is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bec-hill-out-of-order

Gráinne Maguire: Gráinne with a Fada

By Ron Bingham

Gráinne (pronounced almost like Gron-ya) is from Ireland…obviously. She points out that she fits all the stereotypes for an Irish girl. She has been in London for the last decade and the show looks back at some of her observations on the political situation in the country. She looks back at her life in Ireland as an attention seeking child, who performed her first stand-up at the age of four (warning: may not be as impressive as it sounds). We also get some dating advice for people who are from outside England and a bit of talk about Brexit and Donald Trump.

Gráinne is an engaging and entertaining storyteller who keeps the audience laughing at a steady pace throughout the hour. This show is recommended for everyone even though there is a little swearing (but it’s in a cute Irish accent so it doesn’t count!). I also liked that the ticket for the show couldn’t put the little accent over the ‘a’ in her name, so it was “Gr?inne”, which makes the whole thing even more confusing for those who’ve never seen the name.

Gráinne with a Fáda is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/grainne-maguire-grainne-with-a-fada

Scott Gibson: Like Father Like Son

By Lisa Clark

I decided to see Scott Gibson after he did a searing job hosting the GB launch. Not only was he funny and quick, but spoke the kind of truths that others are usually too nervous to say at such events. And it wasn’t just his words, he was the kind of person who is able to get laughs using a twitch of his face and the tone of his voice. He reminded me of a young, shouty Alexi Sayle.

Like Father Like Son begins with Scott’s pub type material, He works the room like a champion, getting to know members of the audience and making a lot of self-depreciating fat jokes. This gives the audience time to get settled and get to know him. Gradually he leads the audience into his personal life. Scott is planning to be a father and this show looks back at his relationships with his ne’r do well dad and grand dads.

Scott proves to be a brilliant and riveting storyteller with a lot to talk about. He also has a charming Scottish turn of phrase, like “we all need a wee greet now and then”. He starts angry and funny and then moves into rather serious territory. My only quibble with this show is that, although it never becomes maudlin, he needs to throw a few more jokes into the serious bits. He’s clearly capable and has a charming way of keeping things fairly light and understating his troubles throughout.

Like Father Like Son is a lovely, heart-warming show from a comedian who’s funny to the bones. Having won Best Newcomer last year at 32, Scott is in a sweet spot and will no doubt have a great career ahead that will be worth following.

Scott Gibson performs Like Father Like Son at Gilded Balloon Teviot 15.45

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/scott-gibson-like-father-like-son-1

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