The Big Value Comedy Show
The Caves Venue
Reviewer: Mark Ritchie
The show headliner Eric Rushton is a curious kind of dude! These were the words of someone I sat close to at this show. Whether it is the wearing of a 1980’s style shell suit top, or what I suspect is the quite deliberately geek-like line in crowd approach, it seems to me this performer is setting himself a task. This is delivering the big laughs while at the same time coming across a complete outsider at a party. The aim is true and the delicious irony is aimed and almost invariably finds the target.
Harry Coombes is the MC and all-round good guy who gets the crowd into the comedy groove. I like Mr Coombes very much. Fronting the show, he knows how to pitch his role, without taking any gloss any from those he introduces. The use of facial expressions will only work within smaller venues of course but, I think perhaps many people who perform stand-up would have handled a certain situation with a front row pest, by using a much harder edge then the softly-softly Harry Coombes did.
Also appearing were comedians Abi Carter-Simpson and Zak Ranger. Ms Carter Simpson is a gem of a stand-up comic who, in my view, would come across well on telly. Bright quick and chatterbox garrulous and giggly, she is similar in style and substance to Lucy Porter. Hopefully higher-profile work should be just around the corner.
This venue and this show features many past stars who introduced themselves to Fringe audiences. Romesh Ranganathan and Sarah Millican to name but two. I hope Zak Ranger finds his way into this company, but I would suggest that unless improvements in pace and delivery are made, this is unlikely. Mr Ranger chose drug-use as a major part of his chat. Perhaps diving straight in with such a heavy topic denies him the opportunity to establish himself on-stage as likeable. In my view, this young-looking performer never really proved his comedy credentials on this night. I sincerely hope that will change and change quickly after his Fringe experience.
