Ant Dewson: Now That’s What I Call Musical Comedy

Review by Elaine Reid | 06 Aug 2013

Ant said that performing in the staff room felt like a night singing at his auntie's house. If all their family nights are like tonight, I want an invite.

Ant offers a musical comedy feast. He is witty, eloquent and a rhyming riot (he knows 99 rhymes for one word in particular in fact). Yes he's got an adult edge, but he apologises endearingly for it in advance. His songs, backed by his adept piano playing, are delightfully varied, from a song which explains why it's easier to be faithful when you're ugly, one about his friend with a potato for a head to his consonant, vowel, consonant, consonant song. Carol Voderman should be proud to have this man as her fan.

Did I mention he hands out chocolate, gives you a chance to stretch halfway through and and lets one member of the audience tap out some beats on a tambourine? By the end of the show he asks if he can go a bit darker for the penultimate song? Smitten, we urge him on to his rhyming crescendo.

He says he's the guy from school who would have been beaten up. A geek with glasses. He tells bullies to look at him now (wiping the sweat from his brow and glancing round the scatty walls in the tiny venue) he's living the dream. Bullies take note, this guy is going places. I predict his venue will be much bigger next time. [Elaine Reid]

Ant Dewson: Now That’s What I Call Musical Comedy, 6-25 Aug, 7.15pm, Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters, free http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/ant-dewson-now-that-s-what-i-call-musical-comedy-free