A quick flick through the Fringe programme will tell you that comedians love to have a tag to their show. Invariably this is some large, bold statement or something obtuse yet strangely alluring, but the end result is usually the same – 60 minutes of desperately trying to shoehorn a set into some flimsy premise. While this practice does lead to some interesting and amusing show titles, it very rarely translates to a solidly themed show and is largely pointless.
On the other hand, there are comics like Danny Bhoy who simply stake their show on their reputation. This may sound like a huge risk but when you are as good a Bhoy you just don’t need gimmicks.
While the majority of his peers are working in this cack-handed themed genre, Bhoy is decidedly old school in his approach and lays down a solid hour of amusing banter. Whilst there is little in the way of a leading theme or overarching precepts, his act is cohesive and progressive despite leading to no obvious conclusions. This may seem like a backhanded compliment but the real appeal of Bhoy’s work is in the way he presents it – the man is the embodiment of personality.
Admittedly his boyish good looks will always hook a certain element of the crowd but it is his down-to-earth nature and ‘matey’ approachability that really sells his stories to the audience.
Bhoy has often been compared to some of the comedy greats and it’s easy to see why, as he effortlessly combines the vim and vigour of Connolly, the observational wit of Seinfeld, the affability of Izzard and the acceptable off-colour humour of Pryor to create a set that is simply a delight to behold.
4/5
Richard Biggs
