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)

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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

Material:   Delivery: Laughs:  Room:

The Scribbling Ape are attempting a world record. In fact they’ve smashed it on both levels, for it really is a fantastic feast of top quality sketchsmithery. The original Apes, Troy Hewitt & Ziggy Ross, have completed their comedy quartet with Libby Rodliffe and Talullah Bond; all young, all stylish, & all damn on it! Clad in matching uniforms of black t-shirts & jeans – with one leg a fetching blue tartan – they take us upon a ride of epic proportions. I was worried before I went to the Caves; wondering if such an intense barrage of humour would do my nut in, but I came through it all most unscathed & extremely happy for supping – well downing in one really – such a positive libation to Thalia herself.

With a smattering of accents & props, our performers shuffle about like poker hands, varying in combinations. Each Ape is as polished as the other – there is lack of individuality perhaps, but a manifestly symbiotic organism that was completely on point. Of the 101 sketches in 50 minutes that their record entails, I recall laughing heartily at the Tintinitus gag (with a leg-shagging Snowy), the vegan grime, the sex haiku & Dizzy Rascal in a washing machine. But there are more, 97 more, with only a wee whiff of theme repetition.

One of the things we have found difficult in the past is keeping our sketches short. It was important that we maintained a balance between quality and brevity, and we think we’ve achieved that Ziggy Ross (read the full interview)

There was a smidge of a sag for me personally about two thirds through, like when I have to leave the room after watching too many of my daughters’ vines – but a second wind soon came which led like a train to an artistic & gorgeous finale. This is extremely sophisticated comedy from a perfectly yin-yanged troupe – they ooze harmony – & it would be interesting to see them try something meatier, for they have the potential to be a Comic Strip for the 2020s.

Damian Beeson Bullen

Fat Blast and Crackers:

101 Sketches in 50 minutes

Just The Tonic, The Caves,

Aug 2-11 (23:20)

Tweets by @scribblingapes

Laughing Horse @ Bar 50
Aug 5 – 25 (22:15)

Later on the same day that Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert was reviewing David William Hughes’ Elizabethan, I went to see his second Fringe show at the Free Fringe Bar 50 venue. David is British, but teaches music in Boston, USA. An Egon Spengler of the showbiz world, we enter a cocktail lounge of musical archeology, delving into the seventeenth century & elsewhere for classy little nuggets of song. Luckily its beer-o-clock, & David has a knack of getting the crowd singing & clapping along, & its all jolly good fun, tho’ a little underwhelming overall. Like a stained glass window on an overcast Lothain day.

Although clearly a talented musician, I preferred his comedy patter, being perfectly fluid, engaging &, of course, funny. It is rather like he’s a transgender entertainer – if you pardon the metaphor -, a comedian trying to break out of a musician’s body kinda thing. Into the mix go a few of his own songs, which were clever, if slightly sacchirine rhymefests of common observations in the Victoria Wood mould. At the end of the day, Wit & Mirth is entertaining enough, but relatively niche fare. If the Edinburgh Fringe was a Russian Doll, then from the comedy doll comes the musical comedy doll, & within that lies the stuff that David does – but he does do it very well indeed!

Damian Beeson Bullen

Material:   Delivery:   Laughs: Room: 

There is something unique about Sonia Aste, whose chosen artform is the most lingual of them all – comedy. The special thing is that English is not her native language, & she has the ability to be funny in a foreign language – funnier than 99.9 percent of us, who would fold after about one minute trying to make people laugh from a stage.

We enter the room to the sounds of Iberian fiesta music, & are each given a fan to keep – red or yellow, the colours of Spain. Sonia is a natural entertainer, a fluffy bunny of funshine who plays on her Spanishness to offer something different to the Anglo-Scottish audiences. I mean, no British comedian would demand the return of Gibraltar – albeit through the mouthpiece of her father. But Sonia is also very Euroaware, & even had a Barcelona shirt ready to please the Catalans in the audience.

With Spain being one of the top destination for British tourists, my show shines a light into our cultural differences and what it means to be ‘Made in Spain’. It’s a fast paced show based on a ‘Tapas Menu’, and the audience chooses what they want to order. I wanted to cater to all comedy tastes and like a good Spanish meal, provide a space to share in the fun and laughter. Sonia Aste
Read the full interview…

Sonia takes a while to warm up, but when she gets going – on her better material especially – she’s great, especially with her use of accents which transplant us effortlessly into her world back home. Her comedy is presented in a ‘choose your own adventure‘ fashion which she defines as Tapas, such as Dad’s Dish, Tourist Toasties, Spanish Song Salad & Hat Hotpot. For me, Sonia Aste is like a monkey swinging through the trees, sweeping skilfully forwards on the vines which are her well laid-out routines, at the end of which she bids us all adiós with a smile & a wink & a genuine wishing of our wells.

Damian Beeson Bullen

Made In Spain 2

Sweet Grassmarket

Aug 2-25 (17.30)

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www.soniaaste.com