Thor Stenhaug @ Pleasance Courtyard
Thor Stenhaug brings a relentless positivity and charming happiness to his debut hour at the Edinburgh Fringe
Early in his debut full-length show, Norwegian comic Thor Odin Stenhaug shares an anecdote about his mother, referring to her as the most positive woman ever. The short story documents her battle with cancer and her relentless positivity in every situation and her refusal to look at the negative. This story highlights two things that are integral to understanding One Night Stand Baby:
1) Stenhaug's admiration and devotion for his mother is so essential to his core and his comedy, and 2) This positivity is hereditary, as that same boundless optimism shines through Stenhaug in every interaction.
The opening section is the obligatory introduction, and Stenhaug details the differences between Norway and the UK, poking fun at his accent and London lifestyle, playing into all the Norwegian stereotypes. It’s a pretty traditional and uneventful beginning but it sets the tone for a shamelessly warm hour. From his upbringing to his relationships, One Night Stand Baby is a gentle and easy embrace, a warm hug.
Stenhaug offers something to the British comedy circuit that has long been misplaced, shunned or forgotten – happiness. There is something so refreshing about hearing a comic say the words, “I’m really happy with my life.” After countless shows at the Fringe, these words are a welcome reminder that life can be alright and that there is happiness to be had. This is a dedication to community and finding kinship in any packaging.
It isn’t some poetic odyssey à la Rob Auton, where the minutiae of day-to-day life is spun into an elaborate, heartfelt yarn; no, this is simple and straightforward stand-up that is uncomplicated in its emotions.
Sure, the jokes can be predictable and patches can feel slower or uneventful, but our comic delivers every joke with heart, stamping his smile on every punchline. The show never delivers anything new, but that's not to say it isn't unique – maybe it’s a symptom of our times that someone so tenaciously upbeat can stand out for that alone. One Night Stand Baby is the story of Stenhaug, but more importantly, it’s a story of love and the preservation of it.
Thor Stenhaug: One Night Stand Baby, Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker One), until 24 Aug, 8.40pm, sold out, returns only