Review: David O’Doherty – Highway to the David Zone, Fringe 2025

I’m a strange sort of David O’Doherty fan. I make every effort to see his Fringe shows and have done so since the year I stumbled into his charm. However, I’m terrible at keeping up with TV, podcasts, radio and tours – all those other places I could find him.

This year, I was thrilled to find that he has grown in popularity, and I was pleased to be amongst a packed house of mega-fans. I guess he’s been knocking out of the comedy park in those other places in the David Zone between Augusts.

The Music

A David O’Doherty show wouldn’t be complete without his musical stylings, and Highway to the David Zone is no different. The comedy musical element is still top-notch, and the new songs are as witty and as bizarre as ever. However, this year, there is a slightly different feel. Rather than the individual wacky scenarios, such as hiding in a bush for his birthday, there is a deeper and more introspective narrative. It’s less about one-off observations and more about a sustained story about looking for happiness. O’Doherty has a real knack for being both relatable and curiously surreal at the same time.

The Man

I think the biggest draw to O’Doherty is that he feels safe. He even makes a point of this at the start of his show – there’s no audience participation, and he is not going to pick on anyone. He even describes his own audience as “sensitive nerds like himself”. While I’m not sure if I’m sensitive, he has a way of saying what you would think, given enough time to think about it. His personal anecdotes, such as his trip to the Isle of Wight for a gig and how it changed his outlook on what would otherwise have been a dismal year, are funny and thoughtful.

Overall

Filling the 500-plus seater Gordon Aikman Theatre and putting on extra shows, it’s clear that O’Doherty’s popularity is at a high. Highway to the David Zone is familiar but different, and shows a maturity and a depth that is both funny and touching. He is an act that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone, whether you are a long-time fan or a sensitive nerd who is new to the Fringe. Simply put, if you don’t yet have a ticket to see Highway to the David Zone, and you get the chance to grab one, I think you should.