Milo Edwards @ Monkey Barrel

Milo Edwards shows he's a class act in new show How Revolting! Sorry to Offend

Review by Andrew Williams | 20 Aug 2024
  • Milo Edwards

Milo Edwards is a man in a hurry. No gentle glide into the show, no ad-libbed mockery of the front row, no scene setting – he's straight into the gags and straight onto the main target of his new show, the British class system. What does it mean to be posh, and where does an Essex lad with a Radio 4 accent fit into the mix? It's a provocative take which acknowledges the wealth of working-class talent out there, while making a strong case that simply talking like a Millwall geezer does not necessarily make great comedy.

Over the course of a frantic hour, Edwards proves that despite the lofty themes of the show, he's not afraid to poke fun at himself in the process. He also shows himself to be an equal opportunities critic, just as happy having a go at upper-class Arsenal fans as cheerleaders for the royal family. On occasion the pacing is perhaps just a bit too quick. Some jokes get lost in the laughter, and when he inevitably pauses to gulp back a drink, the awkward silence can take a beat to get past.

It feels as though everyone at this year's Fringe is using Fred Again as a shorthand for "upper class twit", but Edwards uses his riffs to good effect, and brings in some less obvious class touchstones alongside skiing holidays and horse riding. Above all, it's a show that remains deeply personal. Having won plaudits for shows about the deaths of his parents, Edwards turns to his 96-year-old grandmother Peg as his comic foil in this show. It's an effective and affecting approach, which feels relatable while never becoming too maudlin or sentimental.


Milo Edwards: How Revolting! Sorry to Offend, Monkey Barrel (MB2), until 25 Aug, 5.45pm, £7-10.50