Day four at the Fringe and the relentless zigzag between venues — fuelled solely by meal deals is beginning to show. With barely ten minutes between shows, power walking becomes a competitive sport, and weaving through flyer-wielding hopefuls feels like a Fringe performance in itself. Edinburgh, can be cruel, seemingly being uphill in every direction. But let’s be honest, it’s worth the calf strain and heart burn.
Funz and Gamez: Rebootz
The tenth anniversary reboot of Funz and Games, hosted by future Taskmaster contestant Phil Ellis, is as gloriously unhinged Teetering perpetually on the edge of cancellation — and thriving in that chaos — it’s a family show that gleefully blurs the line between wholesome and wildly inappropriate.
When the adult jokes land, a well-timed packet of Haribo lobbed at a child’s feet works wonders as a distraction, while parents sit back in stunned delight as their offspring are roped into increasingly absurd games for prizes.This reboot boasts a fresh, diverse cast including Huge Davies and Katie Pritchard, whose musical prowess adds a surreal sparkle to the madness. One particular game — involving none other than former Taskmaster star Chris Ramsay and his son — had me in actual physical pain from laughter… but no spoilers.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
@philelliscomedy
Trygve Wakenshaw & Barnie Duncan: Different Party
New Zealand’s Trygve Wakenshaw and his best mate Barnie Duncan return with Different Party — an office-based fever dream of mime, dance, slapstick, clowning, and about five other genres. It’s theatre bursting at the seams with invention, packed with gags for all ages and ideas that tumble out faster than a malfunctioning fax machine This is two world-class performers at the absolute top of their game.Their global haul of awards makes perfect sense once you’ve seen the sheer craft and chaos they bring to the stage. You won’t see anything like this.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
@TrygveWakenshaw @barnie_juancan
Jordan Brookes: Until The Wheels Fall Off (WIP)
With Jordan Brookes, no two shows are ever the same and tonight’s version was no exception. Whether any of it makes it into the final cut is anyone’s guess, but his dissection of familiar territory — solo public transport journeys and toilet visits were delivered with a freshness and forensic wit that only Jordan can pull off.
Barefoot and nimble, he used every inch of the stage, contorting and cavorting with full-body commitment. Even with the odd interruption, Members of the audience were in constant tears, some begging him to stop while a few baffled onlookers only made the whole thing funnier. You’re not really supposed to review a work-in-progress, but it would feel wrong not to shout about the best show I’ve seen so far. If tonight’s anything to go by, the finished version will be something truly special.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@jordanbrookescomedy
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