Bobby Carroll: Low Voltage

Review by Katy Spry | 28 Aug 2012

In the intimate setting of The Royal Mile Tavern, we receive rather sweet insights into ways Bobby has tried to better himself, along with optimistic tales of meeting his fiancé after dating website turmoil. He tries to pass himself off as an edgy misanthrope, but no one is buying it; a perfectly amiable character is the ever so self-deprecating Mr Carroll.

His potential is clear from the start, it’s just unfortunate his apparent lack of self-esteem evidently gets in the way. It doesn’t instil much confidence when a comic gives you the option to leave prematurely. If you don’t have faith in your own abilities, how do you expect others to?

At one point, Carroll attempts - yet again - to cut a controversial figure, broaching the taboo subject of pornography. The result was one uninhibited audience member revealing his she-male penchant; this received the most animated facial expressions of the set from everyone, which doesn’t bode well.

The truth is, not only is Carroll inoffensive (this doesn’t have to be a negative thing), there is something great here to build on. There are quite a few good laughs  as he runs through a clever list of his life observations, but unfortunately Low Voltage just misses the mark.

Bobby Carroll: Low Voltage, Royal Mile Tavern, until 25 August, 19:20, Free http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bobby-carroll-low-voltage-free