Chris Martin: No. Not That One

Themed around “being with people”, it’s lucky Chris Martin prefers spending time in the company of others with the audiences he’s been drawing. His appealing conversational, anecdotal style offers some explanation for this. He’s a comedian with wide appeal – quick enough for teens, clean enough to bring your mum to. He comes over all naughty-schoolboy when he does swear or coin a dirty metaphor, as if he’s seeing how far he can push himself. He usually apologises afterwards.

The pace ebbs and flows somewhat, but the lows are nowhere near as obvious as the highs. This is his first solo Festival show, and word has obviously gone round that it’s a dependable hour. You get the impression that his Fringe rooms – and ticket prices – are only going to get larger from here on in as he grows in confidence.

From foul-mouthed granddads to the demise of a family pet, his material feels genuine and spontaneous. Audience participation is occasionally awkward, but this certain lack of slickness comes across as likeable – you want to find him funny, rather than having to be convinced. Martin’s a happy addition to any Fringe visitor’s to-see list.

– Hannah Ewan