Review: Limmy's Show @ The Fringe

Aug 21 2008 By Chris Clements

The Stand 3, Edinburgh, Saturday 16 August

SCOTLAND’s best-loved dot comic Limmy proved that his cult status is well-deserved during this dark, sweary show in Edinburgh’s Stand Three.

The Glaswegian took to the stage wearing a headpiece, like Britney Spears in concert, and began by showing the audience the script. His digs at fellow computer geek Dave Gorman, and his who-the-hell-is-Suggs(?) sketch were inspired, as was his inventive, and possibly genius, anti-heckling device.

The bulk of his subversive and sick material came from observation of everyday life, but a special cheer was reserved for his podcast characters who made their appearance in short videos on the screen by the stage.

Demon child and ned extraordinaire John Paul harassed and bullied an innocent bloke in a Glasgow park. Meanwhile, lazy stoner Dee Dee became transfixed by his own reflection. Yet the most affecting of his three character pieces was Jacqueline McCafferty as the reformed junkie, who took great offence at being labeled Priesthill. It was disturbingly funny, and somehow rather sad.

Limmy seems to have evolved from his humble internet beginnings into a cult phenomenon and a terrific performer, which isn’t bad for a former web designer.

The only sticky moment in the show came when a naïve spectator tried to bait the comic into Scottish politics. Although it proved to be a perfect excuse to use the anti-heckling device.

Brilliant.