Bill Bailey - Steampunk
Gilded Balloon Productions
EICC (Edinburgh International Conference Centre), 19:30, 21:30, Aug 12-19, £16.00 (£15.00)
***
Much as I would love to say this was the best show ever and fill this limited space with praise; I was told to be honest and unfortunately I was disappointed.

Yes, Bill Bailey is what I imagine God to be like – some sort of beardy roadie of life. However, for a show called Steampunk there was a distinct lack of much music, punk, steam-driven, or otherwise.

One of the things that makes Bailey such a joy to watch is his music, he is at his best when behind an instrument, whether busting out a Dutch rap, or serenading dim-witted punters who can't quite make the show on the right day. However, such moments of genius are sparsely strewn between large chunks of recycled material.

Not really all that fun if what you love about stand up in the first place is spontaneity. Darker and more brooding than his previous efforts Steampunk just needs a bit more fire in the engine.

by Johanna Robertson