The Edinburgh Previews
Vikki
Stone / Markus Birdman / John Robins / James Acaster
Showing at
23rd and 24th July 2013
Reviewed by
Edinburgh Previews are a chance for comedians to try out their new material
on a live audience before they head to their shows at the festival in
Edinburgh, and as Unity had scheduled two nights back to back with two
comedians on each night, Liverpool’s comedy lovers were in for a
real treat.
First on the 23rd July was Vikki Stone, a musical comedian whose cheeky
songs and clever wordplay had the audience eating out the palm of her
hand. She was instantly likeable with a real sense of playfulness about
her. Her humorous songs about boyfriends and camel toes had the audience
roaring with laughter and I have no doubt we will soon see more of her,
as she is without a doubt a star on the rise.
Next on the bill was Markus Birdman, unlike his predecessor, he was slower
to win the audience round with his show about love and loss, however with
his comedy brimming with real life experience and having a slight edge
to it he was soon lapping up the applause. You could tell his comedy came
from real pain and by the time he has finished the audience was howling
with laughter.
For our second night on 24th July, first out of the gates was John Robins,
billed as an alumni of Russell Howards Good News, I was expecting good
things. Unfortunately he massively disappointed. With stale jokes and
forgotten punch lines it seemed like the most under rehearsed comedy show
there had ever been. The final nail in his coffin was when he started
to explain a joke he thought deserved more laughs. Uncomfortable to watch.
For our final act we welcomed James Acaster to the stage; his set seemed
chilled out and almost low key. At first I wasn’t sure his style
catered to the audience in that night, but luckily the crowd warmed to
him and by the time he got round to the end of his set he was getting
laughs and applause. I felt a different crowd may have appreciated him
more.
Overall a mixed bag for an Edinburgh Preview, but to some extent all
comedy is enjoyable at some level; if for nothing else than a laugh about
it on the way home!
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