A review of Matthew Gallagher: Last Minute, Fringe 2026

One of ‘The Stand Five’, Matthew Gallagher is delivering his debut standup show at The Stand Two, and it’s a really fun hour with an unpredictable humour, raw energy and distinct personality.

Vibe

Gallagher has been described by The Stand as a ‘joyous buffoon’ and he’s keen to make you aware of that fact. As we walk into the room, there’s a video playing, of Gallagher asleep on the sofa – building into the whole ‘last minute’ theme of the show. Gallagher then starts the show, explaining that he’s had to have a haircut for a wedding the next day and worries it ruins the consistency of the show. I really don’t mind this fact at all.

Performance

Gallagher’s performance is a strong debut, if not the most polished – but it doesn’t have to be. His impressions are hilarious, from Trump, to the seagull, and the absolute buffoonery that is the Superman impression! We get to hear how that one didn’t go quite right on previous nights and how one woman got a shoe in the face.

The absolute funniest part of Gallagher’s show, for me at least, was the Glasgow football fan impression. You can see the energy that goes into such a feat (I say ‘feat’ because it’s really something you have to see to believe) but it’s absolutely worth it. I laughed so much at this one, and the general observations about Glasgow life (I actually lived on Argyle Street for a couple of years).

I also really enjoyed getting to hear about Gallagher’s upbringing, eating his fish, chips and beans school dinner whilst a looming massive Jesus stared down at him from the cross. As someone who went to primary school in Dunfermline, my own experience of that was a giant portrait of Andrew Carnegie! I think Jesus would probably be worse, especially when you hear about how it fell off the cross and the way it had to be placed back up.

Gallagher’s show is noteworthy, hilarious at times, but he’s also acutely aware of the audience’s reactions. He’ll comment on the silence, or when something hasn’t gone quite as he’d planned. Still, there’s some great crowdwork throughout, and the audience is on his side. I think with a bit more confidence and planning, the show could be even better – and that’s okay, because I think he’s going places and I’m happy to be in the audience for it.

Overall

Plenty of laughs at Matthew Gallagher: Last Minute, with hilarious impressions and some great observational comedy about Glasgow life. It’s one that made me want to see where Gallagher goes next, and I think with a bit more confidence and some more time to polish his act, he could get even better.