I had never heard of James Sherwood until this year. Flicking through the Fringe brochure, with a title like I Fed My Best Friend her Favourite Cow, I was instantly intrigued. The Wee Room in the Gilded Balloon Teviot was near full, maybe some of the crowd were just as intrigued as I was or maybe they already new what kind of treat was in store.
Sherwood is on the hunt for what defines good and bad. As he so pointedly explains, songs are a fantastic place to look for help in this, although in general they make no sense taken out of context. This little exercise is spine tingling funny and on a continual build up until I couldn’t laugh anymore as my sides began to hurt.
Using the audience as a tool in any show can be trying and after a rocky start, they started to play nice, calling out numbers when requested as Sherwood worked through his list of fifty reasons he is good and fifty why he is bad. Each one with an intricately designed back story that could pull a smile out of the stoniest of hearts.
Not in your face and far from offensive, Sherwood’s comedy timing, style and persona are nothing more than pure gold. His jokes mix perfectly with the songs (he has a good voice on him too) some which are covers and others his own compositions, building to a climax that have you on your knees. Give this man a shot and be prepared to laugh, like me, until your sides hurt. A definite must for all comedy fans.
Times: Aug 3rd - 28th (Not 16th & 23rd) Tickets between £7:00 and £8:00.