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This is a charming show based on comic and actor Danny Hurst's brave decision to cycle from his home in Stoke Newington, North London, to Edinburgh for the Fringe.

He embarked on this mission without realising that one comedian had already done something similar last year and another had cycled more than 130,000 miles over a period of 17 years and was talking about it at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.

No matter. Danny Hurst's show is a winner because of the quality of his performance and interesting yarns about the journey, such as meeting a bloke who had once beaten him up years before.

A little gem from Danny Hurst!

Chris Wilson

August 2005




Come Again - The World of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, Assembly Rooms



This intelligent examination of the complex relationship between Dudley Moore and Peter Cook was as thought-provoking as it was beautifully crafted by playwrights and critics Chris Bartlett and Nick Awde.

The productionn is a significant achievement with a script that gets beneath the skin of Moore's angst in the unhappy, failing marriage of two showbiz greats.

It takes us through the social divide between them to the pain of Cook's relentless barbs,often fuelled by alcoholism, to the power-shift in Moore's favour which cemented their "divorce" as a comedy partnership.

The acting is fairly strong throughout.

Kevin Bishop makes a marvellous Peter Cook, although he interprets the lines quite cruelly, portraying him as aloof at first, and pathetically desperate later on.

Kevin Bishop captures Dudley Moore perfectly - the voice and mannerisms are extraordinarily good.

My favourite performance, however, was given by Alexander Kirk, as smarmy chat show presenter Tony Ferguson. The awkward, symbiotic relationship between talk show guest and host is beautifully portrayed.

There were also some big laughs in the razor-sharp script.

The audience loved it all. This is a show to see.

Chris Wilson

August 2005


Phil Nichol - Nearly Gay, The Stand



Whenever he performs, Phil Nichol is mesmerizing.

The level of energy that he brings to the stage and the sharpness of its comedy focus cannot be ignored. This show is possibly his finest piece to date.

Stung by a dubious claim from gay comic Scott Capurro that he was homophobic, Nichol set out on a quest to find his own mauve side, hanging out with a gay mate, while at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

In his yarn, this drive for inner-campness led to a series of misunderstandings which resulted in Nichol making not one but three romantic dates with a sensitive gay hairdresser called Stavros

Nichol delivers the story at breakneck speed but does not lose his audience for an instant, as, hilariously, embarrassment is piled on embarrassment.

It is a wondrous show with tremendously funny songs and a cracking finale, which I won't give away. (I'd die to see him do it in a gay club!)

Catch this show before it sells out!

Joe Wilson

August 2005


Ray Peacock and Son, Pleasance Courtyard



This dark creation by talented stand-up Ian Boldsworth is more of a play than a piece of pure character comedy.

As bigoted and bullyingYorkshireman Ray Peacock, Boldsworth pushes the envelope with a show that is both deliberately chaotic and anti-Fringe.

It is a dangerous road to tread and despite Boldsworth's strong performance, the format does not entirely work for him.

All the same, his supporting cast, Andrew Lawrence as Ray's son Darren, and Issy Suttie as a posh part-Jewish actress, are excellent.

. Joe Wilson

August 2005


Pear-shaped at Midnight, Holyrood Tavern



Edinburgh's "second worst comedy club" is rearing its bubbly head again - always my favourite night out at the Fringe.

Anything could happen at the legendary gig run by Brian and Vicky (Krysstal) whose double act has come on in leaps and bounds since last year, with improved timing and some very funny new lines on the night ("I'll never forget the night I forgot your name")

And what a Paula Radcliffe bill! By my reckoning, they crammed 14 acts into a two-and-a-half hour show - and the standard wasn't bad.

First act Tomi Walamies had some strong gags; second act the Cleaver Brother were quirky in their woolly jumpers, albeit not particularly funny; and third turn Wil Hodgson, a pink Mohicanned oodball had a great deadpan persona and highly original material.

The fourth act was Otto Kuhler who portrayed as a creepy German accordian player. The fifth act I missed because I was buying a pint! The sixth, Some, badly acted a sick sketch based at the vet's. The seventh, Toothpaste Expedition, were fairly weird. The eighth was the affable Peter Buckley Hill, a legend on the Fringe, who was good, even if he ended his set with the words: "I'm a cunt".

But this time it was getting very late and much Holyrood ale had been quaffed. I seem to remember the nineth act, Colin Owens, banging on about his wife being a lesbian, although I could be wrong. Nick Moffat, the 10th turn, was not bad but needed stronger material.

Eleventh act Steve Weiner had a funny set. The 12th act, Paul Doncaster, said he was a disillusioned teacher, although I am sure I heard him say "I teached" (rather than the correct "I taught") at one point.

Act Number 13 Lee Brace had good delivery but needs better material.

Finally, Ian Fox, who had dropped in for a drink and found himself headlining, was good, although, by this stage of the evening, the audience was not at its best.

Overall, another entertaining night at the Pear-Shaped. My hangover lasted for two days!

Joe Wilson

August 2005


Bill Hicks - Slight Return, Pleasance Courtyard



Actor Chas Early and his co-writer Richard Hurst have done something extraordinary with this show - brought the great Bill Hicks back from the grave in a utterly believable way.

Early's performance is nothing short of brilliant and the new Hicks-esque material could have been written by Bill himself from beyond the grave.

The funniest tribute you will ever see.

Chris Wilson

August 2005


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