Material: Delivery:   Laughs: Room:

Konstantin Kisin, of Russian/Jewish descent, became famous for refusing to sign a ‘Safe Space’ agreement before performing a show at a University, indeed choosing to not perform rather than compromise his principals regarding freedom of speech. During this occasionally funny, but regularly engaging, hour he gives us genuine food for thought around this topical, and thorny subject. His jokes, unfortunately, are not really that offensive. He’s certainly not in the same field as Tim Renkow (Who famously describes himself as being in the position of having nobody to punch down to because he is “crippled, Jewish and Mexican”), and over the evening manages to make jokes at the expense of Lefties, Righties, Glaswegians, Liverpudlians, and frequently, his Ukrainian wife. At one point he decides to kill 2 sacred cows with one stone by suggesting that ‘Jews loving money is a positive stereotype akin to the well endowed black man trope’. Well, I’d never heard that one before.

For the first 10 minutes he seems genuinely edgy and tense, and I can’t quite tell if this is nerves, or a physical manifestation of his tales about being ‘followed’ by the Russian Embassy on his smartphone. The whole affair takes a dramatic upturn however as he hits the middle section of the show in which he begins to draw our attention to what lack of Freedom of Speech actually looks like. A greatly affecting story about his Russian grandfathers criticism of The State wins the audience back onside, and this breathes fresh wind into his sails. He skewers ‘leftie’ hypocrisy with aplomb, utilising a series of increasingly unbelievable examples of left leaning friends who have been called Nazis, and the overall impression that one gets from his excellent political stuff is that he is, indeed, actually inequalities man at heart himself.

To have a genuine comedy scene, you need a freedom scene
(Read the full interview…)

He only comes close to ‘offending’ the audience at one point. There is a neatly boundary pushing section near the end where he riffs on the ‘N’ word. Not that one, but the sharp intake of breath was the only time in the hour in which it felt like he was really sailing close to the edge. There was one genuine issue of principals that I had with this evening. This was the suggestion that ‘being offended is a luxury that people with real problems don’t have’. I tell you what Konstantin, try going down to an Edinburgh homeless shelter on a Friday night and saying the ‘J’ word* out loud. You’ll find that offence can be taken, and responded to, in double quick time by those with the realest of ‘real problems’. A fine orator when he gets going, I’d like to see Kisin returning with something genuinely boundary pushing next year.

Ewan Law

(*Scottish pejorative term used to describe someone you think might takes intravenous drugs)

Orwell That Ends Well

Gilded Balloon Teviot

Aug 1-26 (19:00)

www.konstantinkisin.com

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Yes, Gary G, get in my son! Nice one! Finally a comedian who I’m like, yes, that’s what I’m talking about. Well, what he’s talking about really, & its proper funny. A big-boned dandy fop with a beard, he personally gets the Henry VIII resemblance down straight away, & pops back to it from time to time through his set, which according to his catchphrase, never actually begins. I thoroughly recommend Gary to anyone knocking about round town in the late morning, for he fearlessly believes in his vision, that somebody can actually be as funny as he can!

Gary G Knightley could have been an opera singer, but has turn’d his lung capacity to instead taking a deep breath & unleashing 50 minutes of non-stop, brashy bold, direct & sparkly full tempo funniness on a crowd which just laps him up. Even those who are subjected to his dodgy line-crossing, which is like never cringeworthy, but I’m like in mi head, ‘come on brother!’ But he just gets away with it, he’s like a demolition ball flying through the room, wrapped in a rubber safety coating.

The show really feeds off of the audience, which means every show is different (and fun for me) Read the full interview…

The show title suggests the presence of Meatloaf, which in truth is almost negligible. Of much more substance is his piece on musical variants & their origins, such as Phantom of the Oprah (Winfrey) & the such like. By about 40 minutes in I felt his deep breath starting to fade a touch, its quite a full on performance from the lad. But 40 minutes of unwavering focus from myself is pretty decent – sometimes I’m looking at my watch after 5. So here’s to you Gary G Knightley, a refreshingly funny fella who possesses an undentable spirit & a sheer love of his chosen art!

Damian Beeson Bullen

Twat Out of Hell: Deluxe

City Cafe

Aug 1-25 (11:15)

www.garygknightley.com

Material:   Delivery:  Laughs:  

Ireland’s Mags McHugh and Eddie Mullarkey form a motley dichotomous pair who find fantastic humour in their differences and how they each fit into the world. Black Sheep is intimate stand-up which triumphs at making the audience feel as though they are in on the joke. From a comfortable settling down, an almost constant snigger accompanied the show. The individual jokes were funny but it felt as though there was a larger, underlying gag – one which took the piss out of everything.

The first time I did a real gig there was laughter. I was so shocked I came off stage early. Mag’s McHugh
Read the full interview…

McHugh and Mullarkey are talented and charming in their own right, but the show’s appeal lies in their unusual bond. They obviously have a deep respect for one another, and it would have been nice to see more of their compelling chemistry on stage. They deliver most of the show as individuals, and it struck me as a missed opportunity for more unique comedy as a duo. If they could pull off a whole back-and-forth style set, it could be really quite special.

We met a little after Brexit, I cant remember what comedy gig, she made me laugh and then she helped me organise a few gigs and we’ve been laughing since. She’s a very cheeky lady. Eddie Mullarkey
Read the full interview…

Their potential as a committed double act doesn’t lessen the success of the current format. McHugh is a refreshingly peculiar and assured character; her fearlessness is both inviting and challenging. Mullarkey presents as a cheeky-chappy, class-clown type, but has a warmth in his eyes that gives away his compassionate wit. As we filtered out, both made a point of shaking each audience member’s hand which was a pleasant end to what had been a conversational show. You leave feeling as though you’ve just been to lunch at your bizarre but loved Irish family friends’ house.

Eilidh Sawyers

Black Sheep

Sofi’s Southside

Aug 1-25 (12:00)

Tweets by @sheepy_black

Monkey Barrel Comedy
Aug 7-13, 15-25 (12.00)

Material:   Delivery:  Laughs:  

In the fast-paced cyber-age we live in, people desire constant stimulation and instant gratification. Luke Rollason provides all of this. The breakneck pace of this show (heavily aided by the chaotic use of heelys) allows no time for daydreaming, instantly breaking any social barriers of embarrassment by immediately throwing the audience in at the deep end. Our participation is integral to the spontaneity and “infinite” variables of the show, where the unwitting participants are sure to look silly, yet not feel bullied, as we are encouraged to loosen up and not take ourselves too seriously.

Laughs: The total silliness of Luke Rollason’s Infinite Content had the audience laughing from start to end, from a wry smile through a guilty little chuckle all the way to irresistible laughing out louds. Delivery: Luke’s delivery and performance was excellent, his energy never dipped and the show never lulled – errors and hesitations were littered across the hour, but they were brushed away in good order & fine humour – even adding to the hilarity and unpredictability of the show.  Material: Many of the gags were old and classic tricks, superbly refreshed by the integration of technology and props. However, if this show lacks anything, its that hint of originality.

I recommend seeing this silly slapstick spectacle, blooming with interactive technology, absurd props, and an energetic backing track of retro arcade music. Full of wholesome and idiotic gags, it is perfect for a lunchtime laugh.

Mat Boyd

At some point in the recent Irish past, accidentally or by fate, two comedy comets collided at a gig, & have been fused together since. Eddie Mullarkey and Mag’s McHugh have brought a show to Edinburgh called Black Sheep, which according to Eddie is all about bringing, ‘some levity to the mental health discussion, laughing at yourself is the best therapy as Freud said. Together the two of us are bringing two very different life stories, Mags is in her 50’s and grew up a devout catholic. I’m in my 20’s and grew up with porn on a mobile phone. Different realities. Different struggles, different anxieties.’ On top of this, they have also committed to a vision called Snack Chat – with a 10AM start – yes, that’s right 10 AM.

Breakfast with the Black Sheep can be found in one of the City Café vencubes, & begins with mistress cheeky-smiles herself, Mags, dishing out yum-yums & sausage rolls from Greggs down the flowery brooks of her generosity. Then came the comedy, & my first experience of the slick, fun to be around, tracksuit-topped blue-eyed bard of Tuatha de Danaan, Eddie Mullarkey is one of those comedians who you laugh, or at least grin inanely, at whatever he does. He’s the MC for three comedians – typical floor-spot fare – & each morning there will be a different line-up drawn from the increasingly narrowing pool of comedians willing to get up before mid-day. Apparently Mags sometimes MCs as well, so they’ll always keep mixing it up. For my own visit, a large group of teenage Italian English language students from Ferrara were in, which our three guest comedians handled to varying shades between competency & bewilderment – great fun to watch!

Snack Chat is an extremely informal session, whose most important and essential parts are its early start & relative sobriety of gusts & performers. Most people across the planet are buzzing with energy in the morning, & you can really feel that kinda freshness in the room. With the line-up changing each day, the quality will always be different, so I’m gonna mark the concept, which is at the end of the day – or rather the beginning – a proper tidy way to start the day. Its perfect for folk checking out of their digs & have a couple of hours to wait for their train.

Damian Beeson Bullen

Material:   Delivery: Laughs: Room:

The Scotsman hotel was very plush, where hidden away was the Champion of Festivals venue where we were to meet Oleg Denisov, a stand-up comedian from the new realm of Russia. His comedy has been described as politically oriented, in which, as he himself stated, he has a vested interest. But as the show developed, there also emerged an interest in philosophy, a field he had studied in Russia. In his introduction, Oleg brought up the origins of the troll, a myth that came from Scandinavia, but then there was also the political troll, and neither ever had any good intentions. Thus did he set out his stall.

Oleg talked eloquently, putting forth his ideas with quasi-debating techniques, interspersed with both heavy and light jokes. Ideas as fresh as he was. He was young, 30 years old, a fact he used to compare himself to his beloved Russia, also but an infant after some major social restructuring. This was a well-honed act, leaving us feeling relaxed and hungry for the next killer line, the next exuberant punchline.

The name comes in part from the “Russian Trolls” as a popular news story, and in part from a scholarly version of how the mystical creature called “Troll” was invented by Scandinavian people. Oleg Denisov  (read the full interview)

The momentum built in great strides, taking us deeper and deeper into concepts of freedom of speech in a truly masterful way. He compared Scottish culture to that of Russia, retaining always his own Russian identity and throwing ideas around like a juggler. It was wonderful to see and to listen to this well-crafted, energetic, yet calmly delivered rhetoric that he made sure to weave into hilarious, yet mind-expanding comments and queries. The jokes were sometimes risqué, but it was the preposterous debating that really drew us in, while still coming across as though he sincerely cared about the stunted state of his homeland.

This was a skillful, commanding, endearing and insightful take on personal reality, on finding strength and overcoming adversity in the face of seemingly ridiculous situations. Mixed with many painful and poignant moments in Russian history. Nonetheless, this comic philosopher was always optimistic, whi- sharp and as honest as you can be; a quality orator who choses out of necessity to bring his great thoughts to our attention using amazing comedy.

Daniel Donnelly

Russian Troll

Champions of Festival @ The Scotsman

Aug 2-26 (16:40)

From Seattle, to London, to Edinburgh comes the superlative Erich McElroy

Where are you from & where are you at, geographically speaking?
I’m from Seattle originally, but I’ve been in the U.K. since 2000 and
currently live in the mean streets of Kingston upon Thames.

When did you first develop a passion for comedy?
It started right after I moved to London. Comedy was in every function
room in town back then. Then the recession hit and the circuit slowed
down a lot. That’s when I started being a full-time comedian. In comedy
timing is everything.

What are the differences between a British comedy audience & an
American?
I have never really performed in the US as a stand-up. I started here
and gigged here – British audience are great. Feisty, a bit drunk, and
demanding.

You decide yourself as a centrist comedian, can you explain?
Well, I’m on the left side of the political perspective but I also
believe that to really get anything done, we have to recognize that
means sometimes moving to the center or sometimes even the centre. In
the UK and in the US (I still get a vote there) where both countries are
so polarized we can’t get anything done if we don’t try and meet half
way. I talk about that in the show, but in a funny way.

You’ve been on some highbrow TV & radio, how do you find the
experiences & just how politicized is the broadcasting output of
Britain?
The UK radio and TV tries way to hard to be neutral, especially since
the written press seems to go out of it’s way to be totally partisan.

You’ve got three famous comedians (dead or alive) coming round for
dinner. Who would they be & what would you cook; starters, mains &
dessert?
Jon Stewart, Samantha Bee and Lee Mack. The first two because they are
some of the best topical comics ever and the third cause he is one of
the best live comics I’ve ever seen and a lovely guy. I wouldn’t cook as
I”m awful at cooking. This will sound sexist, but my wife is a great
cook – but if that was wrong I’d get some takeaway.

You’re performing at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe; what are you
bringing to the table?
FUNNY! It’s a fun show, not a heavy political rant.

If your comedy style was a soup, what would be the key ingredients?
A bit of everything, with some good chunks of meat to sink your teeth
into.

Will there be jokes about Boris & Trump in your show?
One of each. It’s more about personal politics and our daily battles to
do the correct thing.

You’ve got 20 seconds to sell the show to somebody in the streets of
Edinburgh…
It’s funny, because it’s true. Actually, some of it’s not true, but
it’s still funny.

What will you be doing for the rest of 2019?
After this month? Sleeping. Then getting a giant bowl of popcorn to
watch all the Democratic Presidential Primary debates.

Radical Centrist

 Laughing Horse @ Bar 50

Aug 2-11 (14:15)

Tweets by @erichmcelroy

http://www.erichmcelroy.com

Underbelly, White Belly
  August 5-11, 13-25 (17:20)

Material:   Delivery:   Laughs: Room:

Edy Hurst will always be the first name down on your party list. You know he is always gonna bring the fun times, & also his guitar, which he plays with proper expertise. Then, after a few beers or something, you’ll find yourself chatting to him in a quiet corner of the festivities about some of the more serious shit in life. That, in a cupcake, is Edy Hurst the performer.

Edy’s 2019 show, Hurst Schmurst, is a mixed bag of songs & chit-chat, some of which are great, some of which not so much. His Twonkeyesque puppet creation is a chief highlight – a Kermit the Frog meets Marvin the Paranoid Android for the modern age – while his Lancashire loop-pedal is a class piece. There are then two climaxes – an extended tale concerning his canalside goose-hoofing antics, told with some proper quality flip-pad marker-art. Next comes that aforementioned moment in the corner of the party when things get a bit heavy, which completely bowled me over as a spectator.

There is a certain children’s entertainer feel to Edy, but he offers maturer elements as well. Overall the ideas are right, & the performance also, but the mixture is a bit chaotic – but perhaps that was Edy’s intention all along.

Damian Beeson Bullen