Jason Byrne: The Byrne Supremacy

Credit where it's due: Jason Byrne has a massive queue. 840 people long, to be precise. He also has one of the most ill-conceived, out of place, shoddily performed magic tricks you could pay to see at this year's Fringe. Both, as it transpires, are entirely justified.

For the record, Byrne is not a magic act. What he is, though, is an extremely energetic, imaginative and, as the X-ray photos behind him demonstrate, accident-prone comedian. Steaming through narratives about how he tore the cartilage in his knee while having "a quick poo", Byrne revels in the childish scattiness of his delivery. It's by no means weighty material, but Byrne's strength is in timing, pitch and pace.

Indeed, the magic trick - he saws a man in half, very badly - is entirely uncalled for. But that's precisely why it works: cleverly, Byrne is able to disorientate a whole audience and then use this uneasiness as a springboard for hilarity, berating his two unfortunate assistants throughout the shambolic illusion while appearing oblivious to the ludicrousness of the situation.

Quite possibly, Byrne is having one of his best nights so far. The newlyweds plus bridesmaids in the crowd are a massive boon to a show primarily about his own marriage. So too is the 18-year-old on the front row with the unnaturally deep voice. But, then again, a less consummate performer might not reap the same comedy spoils from these open mines as does Byrne. There are, perhaps, few comedians who could get 838 audience members to congratulate the remaining two on their wedding – and mean it.