Trevor Browne: I think... I am

Review by Simon Pattullo | 23 Aug 2012

Actual tears there were, actual tears running down this critic's actual face; this show is terrific.

The mood is set as the television screen sparks into life.  Macca and the Boss and other luminaries are there to espouse the genius and history of Trevor Browne; and before long this fades as the man himself appears on stage, guitar in his hand, velvet jacket on his back. The crowd seems already on-side.

Musical comedy can be quite hit and miss, and playing a character throughout can pose problems, but this is wonderfully judged.  The songs themselves are funny and catchy, but it's the delivery which makes it. The facial expressions before he utters the 'deep' lyrics are hilarious, the comic pauses and interminable final notes on some songs make the whole thing fantastic . It is clearly a well-rehearsed set but it does come across as entirely fresh, and that is to be applauded.

He doesn't wholly rely on script, however. Some of his off-the-cuff lines would make their way into other comedy sets, but here they are just thrown out there, and discarded as the audience erupts. It's brilliant to see someone like this on top of his game.

Trevor Browne: I think... I am, Gilded Balloon Teviot, Until 27 August, 19:00 £8.50/£7.50 http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/trevor-browne-i-think-i-am