Carl Donnelly review

One of my biggest gripes is performers who spend an inordinate time making inane chat with the front row. It frustrates me that certain comics think it fair to charge £16 to listen to them have a chat with 'Barry', and not be very funny in the process. Normally when this begins to happen in a gig my heart sinks, as it indicates the comedian couldn't be bothered to write a whole show...

However, the simple fact is that most people aren't very good at audience banter. Carl Donnelly is one of just a handful of people who is brilliant at it. And this is the main reason Carl Donnelly 3: Carl Donnelier! is such a good watch. Sporting his new look, he effortlessly intertwines storytelling and observational humour with these honed improvised skills. The ability to stay so relaxed and under control in a stand-up situation is a talent which should not be underestimated, and Donnelly is second to none.

Unlike some comics who use the 'chat to the front row' device, Donnelly has also written a show. The meat of it is about things that he has noticed, and things that have happened to him.

Donnelly does retreat to the latest stand-up craze of slagging off technology. There is also a number of other observations which you can see similarly replicated with lots of other comedians on the Fringe. However, Donnelly can be forgiven, as he is so likeable. He's probably the only comedian on the Fringe who can get away with calling himself likeable on stage and it actually remaining true.

More interesting are the stories he tells so engagingly. Though some have the slightly frustrating habit of pilfering out, it is these moments that stand out more and are the most captivating.

Overall this is a relaxing and easy watch. Nothing heavy, and nothing that's going to change the world, but sometimes with a Fringe show that's all you need.

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Carl Donnelly 3: Carl Donnelier! listing