Review: Milton Jones – Ha!Milton, Fringe 2024

There’s a song in Ha!Milton, and that alone makes it different from other Milton Jones shows I’ve seen.

There’s a skitch about lawyers coming for the show.

I’ve still not seen Hamilton. Connect these three facts if you want.

I just used the word “skitch” to describe a part of Milton Jones’ show, and I can’t think of a better one because there’s no sketch, but there’s a sort of segmented arch or linked train of thought.

I always think of Milton Jones shows as both quality and quantity of onliners. He packs so many in here, and even if you don’t find the first couple funny, you’ll find your resistance wearing down, and you’ll start to join in with the laughing crowd.

Milton Jones: Ha!Milton differs from many previous Milton gigs in Edinburgh not just through the song. There’s also something of a set on stage, although everything begins under dust covers that make it look like the comedian has snuck on to perform between other shows. That’s until those covers begin to get whisked off.

There’s also a screen so Milton can share pictures with the audience.

I would say that despite being reassuringly Milton Jones, that Ha!Milton felt a bit different, a bit grander and exclusive.

Tone

Milton Jones: Ha!Milton is held at the main hall in Assembly Hall on the Mound. That’s a regal venue and definitely the most posh venue I’ve encountered the comedian in.

In a way, Milton felt a bit further away than usual – not just in distance but emotionally. Ha!Milton is more of a performance, even if it’s no less of a comedy routine. The two added together, though, and it felt a bit harder to connect.

The audience helped. Within the show’s first few minutes, I was surrounded by happily laughing Milton Jones fans. You know the comedian is winning the crowd’s affection when, at the first hint of a joke, people are quick to laugh. Milton Jones’ jokes are often one-and-done in a sentence; sometimes, the sentence does not even need an ending, but tonight, people laughed even as the joke started. We could see where this was going.

In contrast, some jokes are little time bombs. Milton says something that’s not immediately obvious, and then, a few seconds later, you get it. He’s a clever guy.

What to expect

As it’s the Assembly Hall, there are many steps, but there are also assistance and ways in for people who need help. Also, expect a comfortable seat, but you might be left with a restricted view if you’re late. Usually, that’s not a problem because you don’t technically need to see anyone to hear a joke, but it is here because some of the gags are visual.

Don’t be too late.

If you’ve not been to a Milton Jones gig before, expect a wild shirt and hair. You’ll come to love a little chuckle, too.

Milton Jones’s style is to play with expectations, to get there quickly, and then sometimes circle back to a previous joke with another layer. It leans towards the surreal, puns, and absurd.

For example, from yesteryear’s archives, jokes like;

I went out with this girl the other night, she wore this real slinky number… She looked great going down the stairs.

If you have been to a Milton Jones gig before, as noted, this one is a little different, but it is quintessentially Milton.

Overall

I had a great time. I wish my seat was better, and it’s my fault for spotting one near the back with ample legroom; I should have squeezed in closer to the stage.

Milton Jones: Ha!Milton is a tour of clever jokes, with guest appearances in the form of songs and props. It’s an evolution that is larger than before.

Ha!Milton might lose a little of the closeness of smaller, more intimate gigs, but it brings an Edinburgh Festival grandness this quick-witted walking joke machine deserves.