Edinburgh Fringe 2015 review – Adam Hess: A turbo charged punfest

Adam Hess's show, part punfest, part autobiography, keeps everyone hooked with a blend of charm and inventiveness, says Bruce Dessau
Rapid fire: Adam Hess
Bruce Dessau17 August 2015

After one week this Edinburgh Fringe is shaping up to be the best value ever. Some of the most exciting shows have been in venues where you can enter for nothing and pay what you want when you leave. But you have to arrive very early to get into Adam Hess, who is justifiably playing to packed houses.

The London-based comic has built up a Twitter following thanks to his clever, concise wordplay. Some of his online quips, such as “In German ‘kinder surprise’ means ‘unwanted pregnancy’”, crop up on-stage, but in the flesh Hess is more than a Tim Vine-style human jokebox.

This show is part punfest, part autobiography. The pace starts at turbo-charged speed and barely lets up as he recalls his geeky, nosebleed-afflicted youth. He is still pretty childish, bouncing around the stage. Imagine a giant stubbly toddler after too many sugary drinks.

One has barely stopped laughing at a punchline when the next one comes. It is only when Hess pauses to discuss his favourite films or get someone to read out his old jokes that there is breathing space.

By rights there should be a limit to how many wisecracks a fan can enjoy, even when they are as beautifully poetic as “surely every car is a people carrier?”. Yet Hess keeps everyone hooked with a blend of charm and inventiveness.

There’s an old gag that some gigs are free to enter but you have to pay to be allowed out. I’d happily stay all month if Adam Hess is on stage.

Until August 31 (0131 226 0000, edfringe.com)

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