A review of David O’Doherty: whoa is me, Fringe 2022

Oh, it’s good to be back.

Those slender few who know me in real life know that when I concede I’ll be doing Fringe stuff again, I will immediately see if I can get David O’Doherty tickets.

I’m pleased to report that David O’Doherty: whoa is me is good, everything I remember, that the glasses of nostalgia are not rosy tinted. Broken toastie machines are annoying, but unmet expectations are even worse.

Happy is entirely the wrong word to use to describe any David O’Doherty gig, and the same is true with ‘whoa is me’ but, yet, stick with me, I find something reassuringly wholesome with the whole thing. I’m neither clever enough nor articulate enough to explain it.

David is a life soldier? He pushes on, and while he sees and feels the bleak, he finds enough light for tomorrow. Perhaps that’s it?

What to expect

For ‘whoa is me’, David mixes music with insightful humour. Expect a little keyboard action.

If you’re a fan, this won’t surprise you, and you’ll know asking him whether he’s got his keyboard with him is the traditional greeting.

If you’re new to the fanbase, I advise you to listen to the lyrics; there are pearls of wisdom in those vocals. They’re not hidden, but they are worth celebrating.

8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Along for the Ride? Yes, apparently, he does all that. I barely watch TV, so I can’t really say whether his style on stage is the same as on the box. I suspect so; I can’t imagine anything else from O’Doherty.

Overall

I’m not a laugh out loud type of audience but David made me laugh out loud. People on either side of me were vocal with their recognition of those life events and results, “Oh yes”, “True”, and other wisdom is thrown in with their laughter.

This is all good. The concrete box in which ‘whoa is me’ is performed is comfortable but stripped of any vibe by academia. Yet, and yet… David O’Doherty manages to transform the place, adding buzz and camaraderie.

I’m glad his parents are okay.