Dan Willis: A Comedian's Life

Dan Willis is doing six shows per day at this Fringe because he is mental. This one is the fifth and it's almost shocking how energetic he is during the hour, given that a normal human being would be dead by now.

A Comedian's Life is the newest of his six shows and and sets out to answer the two most common questions posed to comedians: how did you get into comedy; and can I tell you a joke? The latter question is handled in an hilarious anecdote involving some Aussie squaddies, while the former question makes up the body of the show.

Willis took a hell of a route into comedy, starting off as a member of the Perrier judging panel in 2001 which brought him into contact with the likes of Johnny Vegas and Russell Brand. One of his early open spots was in legendary hellhole Up The Creek and his reminiscences of that venue are enlivend by a spot-on Malcolm Hardee impersonation.

This hour is still a bit rough around the edges, which is forgivable when you consider Willis's punishing schedule. It's more interesting than hilarious, but it's certainly very interesting. And if you don't like this show, well, he's got five others.