Al Pitcher -
Idiot Wind
Al Pitcher
Pleasance Courtyard @ 22:45, Aug 1-27 (not 14), (1hr), £9.00 (£7.50), £10.00 (£8.50)
****
I can’t really tell you much about Al Pitcher’s set for this show, as I haven’t the faintest idea what was planned and what was spontaneous. Don’t get me wrong, the theme was intact – a rip-roaring blast through the subject of saying stupid things you shouldn’t have – but a great deal of the time he interacts and flits about so randomly that it can be pretty tricky judging what is routine and what is reaction. He doesn’t just bounce off the audience; he bounces off the walls!

Hailing from New Zealand, he comes across as a very pleasant chap, enormously eager to relate with the audience but never confrontational or bothersome… Even when posed with what could possibly be one of the world’s most challenging heckles - a granny exclaiming: “You depress me!” Pitcher absorbs the comment and turns this into a playful ongoing banter.

With the audience in the intimate setting of the Pleasance Courtyard’s attic quickly warming to his wit and charm, we were swept along by his frequent and erratic digressions, although with comedic meanderings as frenetic as this you’re occasionally at risk of having to hurry to catch up!

He paces about, he fidgets, he twiddles his hair, he shuns the microphone, he’s such a bundle of sweaty energy you could be excused for thinking he’d necked something before the performance – but with this amount of control over the show and the audience, he very clearly hasn’t. Besides, I was sweating a tad too, oh and by the way, thanks for the ice pop Al!

by Ian Phillips

The National Student's
2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
coverage is supported by