It’s not unusual to find some of the bigger comedians simply coasting when they come to Edinburgh. After all, some of these guys don’t really need to be here and only really come so they can guarantee good sales when their DVD comes out in September. Thankfully, Andrew Maxwell doesn’t fit into this category and it’s great to see he’s risen to the challenge of producing another inspiring Fringe show.
Given the events of the last few weeks, it was inevitable that terrorism was going to pop up on this year’s bill but, so far, nobody else has tackled the subject with such aplomb and directness as Maxwell.
The diminutive Irishman pulls few punched with his theories and thoughts on suicide bombers and terror attacks but his enchanting charm makes sure that everybody in the audience is following him, rather than opposing him.
While the state of the world may be the night’s running theme, it’s not all doom, gloom and pessimism, as Maxwell takes a number of interesting detours, furnishing his tales with a some wonderfully disturbing and delightfully sick imagery, most of which are too shocking to recount here.
In short, Maxwell has crafted a solid hour of cracking entertainment. Whether he is theorising on the unlikelihood of an al-Quaida attack on Scotland or discussing the shame associated with using male sex toys, it’s all gold and Maxwell has managed to capture the mood of the nation at a trying time. While the title of this year’s show may seem a little presumptuous, it is quite clear that Maxwell has now sealed his place in comedy’s upper echelons.
5/5
Richard Biggs
