Review: James Trickey – Don’t Count On Me, Fringe 2025

James Trickey has a knack for numbers. A chartered accountant by trade, he now finds himself at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his debut show, Don’t Count On Me.

The show is, in a very real sense, a calculated risk, as he navigates the hilarious conflict between a life of spreadsheets and the pull of the stage. The Pleasance is the perfect venue for this kind of intimate storytelling, and Trickey holds the room with a unique blend of mathematical wit and charming honesty.

The Charm of a Spreadsheet Aficionado

Trickey’s background as an accountant isn’t just a quirky detail; it’s a core part of his comedic persona. His jokes about spreadsheets and probability are sharp, but they never feel like a niche “geek show.” He has a natural charisma that makes the audience connect with him, regardless of whether they understand VLOOKUPs or not. He even manages to get a full sketch out of the concept of “punching up” versus “punching down” by using GDP as a metric for privilege, a brilliant and unexpected method that had the audience roaring. James defends it as mathematically woke.

I confess, as someone who uses spreadsheets daily, I found myself in a moment of disagreement with his preference for Excel over Google Sheets. But even that is part of the charm; he makes you feel invested in the minutiae of his world. He’s got a fresh-faced youthfulness and an innocent naivety that’s genuinely appealing, making his “gotchas” on the audience even more delightful. There’s a joy in seeing a stand-up routine come together, and James Trickey finds a couple of extra levels beyond that, earning my full recommendation.

One to Watch

Trickey’s heritage – a young Cambodian mother and a much older white English father – provides a rich vein of material that he mines with sensitivity and humour. He talks about identity, parental expectations, and the clash of cultures with a disarming honesty that resonates deeply. You can see the punchlines coming in many of his jokes, but that’s part of the fun. He’s a comedian who knows his craft, and it’s a testament to his talent that he can deliver them with such precision and flair.

The presence of other well-known comedians in the audience is a very good sign. These are pros who know what to look for, and the fact they’re watching his gig suggests he’s already making waves. He won me over completely, and I would happily go to see him again. James Trickey is absolutely one to watch.

Overall

Don’t Count On Me is a brilliantly structured, clever, and genuinely funny show. James Trickey proves that a chartered accountant can be a charismatic and engaging comedian, blending personal stories with a unique mathematical perspective. It’s a risk he’s taken, and it has definitely paid off. Recommended.