Over the years we have realised that you need to hit the Fringe at running speed, you can’t ‘ease’ your way in. You have a finite time at the greatest arts festival in the world and it’s best if you let it slap you into Fringe mode… And this year – as we have on many years – we wanted Andrew Maxwell to be the clown that delivered that slap.

We had been in Edinburgh for just enough time to grab drinks before we found ourselves sat in the Teviot Debating Hall watching images of active volcanoes whilst Hendrix blasted out of the venue speakers. Our clown for the evening bursts onto the stage wearing an oversized shirt and denim short, shorts. He screams “Krakatoa” into the mic causing an eruption of sound and smoke as he cackles through the smog… We have arrived at the 2022 Fringe.

The routine is a classic meander through the world of Andrew Maxwell: he talks friends, family, love and loss via a collection of anecdotes that, even if you may have heard a couple before, will still have you laughing along.

One of the subjects of his act that has just become stronger over the years has been his everyman, common sense view of politics. It’s similar to how, in the US, Stephen Colbert had no intention or desire to be a political comedian, but the total idiocy of the Trump era forced it upon him. And he is now regarded as a source of political news!!

Andrew Maxwell gets people and he understands his subject matter. He makes political points in a way that breaks them down to a base level where even if you wanted to argue you know you would feel foolish. A good indication of this would be the anti-maskers sat next to me who bristled at his explanations of how to (and why) wear a mask – but laughed heartily at the ridiculousness of the IRA now being anti-mask!

We look forward to seeing this clown whenever we get the chance and will recommend him for as long as he is happy to perform.

First name on the team sheet, guaranteed good time, long live the clown prince of comedy.

Clown Stars: * * * * *

@Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh

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