Fringe Comedy
Ciarán Dowd
Pleasance
Four stars
Felicity Ward
Pleasance
Four stars
The words, 'character comedy' often fill me with silent dread. I'd nothing to fear from Irishman Ciarán Dowd's Fringe solo debut, however. His tale of spoof 17th century swordsman, Don Rodolfo Martini Toyota quickly swashed and buckled its way into my heart. All ruffles and Rioja, the legendary lothario flounces around the room boasting of his swordsmanship and sexual prowess in a Spanish accent so cod it deserves its own trawler. If Zorro had been raised on Craggy Island, then surely this would have been the craic. It's sublimely silly stuff as Don Rodolfo sets off to avenge his father's death. Highlights include a homage to cheese and his hilarious blow-by-blow account of single-handedly dispatching 600 soldiers. An incurable and accomplished flirt, the audience are at times quite literally eating out of the palm of his hand or doing their damndest not to drown in those baby blues. It's not all frills no thrills either, the ending is as rapier-sharp and surprising as anything you'll see this year.
Until August 26.
Much as we've missed her, Australian comic, Felicity Ward's two year Fringe sabbatical seems to have done her the power of good. She's back with a sensationally strong hour of stomach-achingly funny stand-up. This is unadulterated good fun. Forget themes and agendas - tiny, turbo-charged Ward has decided to just keep those gags coming thick and fast and the audience love it. The 'emotional grenades' lobbed at her husband just as she switches off the bedside light are well-observed as are her stories of living with her over-feeding, toilet roll hoarding in-laws. There are fart jokes, funny walks, crazily clever call-backs and a truly inspired impersonation of that drunk girl in nightclub toilets who wants to be your new best friend. Someone hide her Havaianas – Ward mustn't be allowed to be anywhere else but Edinburgh next August.
Until August 26.
Gayle Anderson
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