Edinburgh Fringe Buzz: From Anti-Comedy to Personal Tales

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival continues to showcase a diverse range of comedic talent, with recent reviews highlighting both innovative and traditional approaches to stand-up. From avant-garde sketch comedy to deeply personal narratives, comedians are pushing boundaries and connecting with audiences in unique ways.

A Genuine Appreciation of Comedy: The Mayor and His Daughter

The sketch duo The Mayor and His Daughter presents "A Genuine Appreciation of Comedy," a debut hour described as wilfully obtuse. The show centers on a mayor and his sullen daughter in a quaintly miserable village, whose lives are disrupted by a mysterious relic – a boxset of "Russell Howard's Good News." While the conceit hints at a narrative, the performance is noted for its numerous, untethered elements, including pasta personality tests and a sentient milk carton. Critics found the show to be a mix of narrative and sketch comedy, but ultimately lacking in cohesive structure and sufficient punchlines, making it potentially alienating for those seeking tightly written gags.

Mark Silcox: The Gold Trader

Mark Silcox returns to the Fringe with "The Gold Trader," a performance that solidifies his reputation as a master of "gold-plated anti-comedy." The show features technical mishaps, including a laptop crash and PA system failure, which Silcox masterfully incorporates into his set. His dry, meandering, and seemingly uncharismatic delivery, coupled with factual presentations about the chemical element gold, elicits uproarious laughter from the audience. The review suggests that Silcox's deliberate "bombing" and creation of tension are hallmarks of a brilliant comedic mind, earning him a five-star rating.

Harriet Kemsley: Everything Always Works Out for Me

Harriet Kemsley's "Everything Always Works Out for Me" delves into the raw and potent story of her marriage dissolution and single parenthood. Kemsley juxtaposes her typically frantic, positive temperament with a more linear and emotional narrative. The show is praised for its surprising and complex hour of comedy, with Kemsley's signature left-field observations now prefaced by sincere storytelling. A highlight is her reveal of involvement, under an alias, in Rebecca Humphries' "Why Did You Stay?" The performance is seen as a nuanced and developed piece, showcasing Kemsley's personal and professional growth.

Julia Masli: CHOOSH!

Julia Masli's debut show, "CHOOSH!," is an irresistible and archetypal Fringe experience, blending lo-fi aesthetics with moments of joyful collectivity. As an accomplished clown, Masli's performance explores themes of immigration, starting with a sad man leaving his home for America and continuing with his daughter's menial jobs. The show features daft drama reminiscent of Buster Keaton, with Masli's physical comedy and interactions with the audience, particularly in a bit involving a dog, drawing significant laughs. Despite a slight sag in momentum, the show is lauded for its sweet yet steely persona and its critique of the exploitation of female immigrants.

Tom Lawrinson: Buried Alive and Loving It

Tom Lawrinson's "Buried Alive and Loving It" offers a strong showing of stand-up, though it's noted for scattershot material and a sedate demeanor compared to his previous work. The autobiographical set, structured around his family's emigration to Spain, showcases Lawrinson's capability and humor, easily transcending the stigma of social media stars in stand-up. His style of desultory observations and intrusive thoughts land effectively as punchlines. However, the review suggests Lawrinson could take bigger swings with his gags, as much of the material feels "pH-balanced" and unwilling to push boundaries, unlike his more daring online persona.

Key Takeaways:

• Comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe are exploring a wide spectrum of styles, from anti-comedy to deeply personal narratives.

• Technical difficulties can be transformed into comedic gold, as demonstrated by Mark Silcox.

• Personal experiences, such as divorce and immigration, provide rich material for compelling stand-up.

• The balance between avant-garde experimentation and accessible humor remains a key challenge for many performers.

Sources

• The Mayor and His Daughter @ Assembly Roxy: Edinburgh Fringe review, TheSkinny.co.uk.

• Mark Silcox @ Voodoo Rooms: Edinburgh Fringe review, TheSkinny.co.uk.

• Edinburgh Fringe review: Harriet Kemsley @ Monkey Barrel, TheSkinny.co.uk.

• Edinburgh Fringe review: Julia Masli @ Assembly Roxy, TheSkinny.co.uk.

• Edinburgh Fringe review: Tom Lawrinson @ Underbelly, TheSkinny.co.uk.