Tommy Rowson’s act begins with an intro video splicing images of bad behaviour, tattoos, snippets from the bible and a rock and roll soundtrack. This was an intro that got me excited about seeing a comedian with stories to tell, and a unique way of telling them. After all, the title Down and Out in Powys and London is a pun on one of my favourite books.
Unfortunately it turned out that the intro, and the outro video that closed the show were the best bits.
The finest comedy shows I’ve seen on the fringe have blended originality, honesty and humour. Whilst Rowson did honesty really well, there wasn’t enough originality or humour to make this a really compelling hour. The story telling was there, but I wasn’t on the edge of my seat and I didn’t laugh.
Others did though, and for his show to sell out there’s clearly a lot of people wanting to support Tommy Rowson. However I left with the feeling he’s got a way to go before he’s up there with the best of the fringe.
As my friend Chris put it after the next show we saw, “It’s like we saw the support band, and then we saw the band everyone’s really there to see”.
Tommy Rowson is on at the Underbelly (Venue 300) at Bristo Square. EdFringe recommends the show at a 16+ age rating.
About the Guest Reviewer
Simon Bennison lives and works in Edinburgh, having first completed degrees at Northumbria University and the University of Strathclyde. He can be followed on Twitter at @SimonBennison.
Tickets were provided to enable this review.
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