If you are looking for snippy one‑liners about Lily Allen, Simon Amstell’s ambitious new stand-up show, Do Nothing, is not for you.
In absolute contrast to his lightweight Never Mind The Buzzcocks persona, Amstell in the flesh is frank, philosophical and painfully funny, able to wrestle gut-wrenching laughs out of his existential angst.
The essential premise is that despite his success he is unhappy and lonely.
How can anyone enjoy living in the moment, Amstell ponders, when we know we are going to die?
He opens by discussing buying a flat with two bathroom sinks, which he thought would exude glamour.
Instead, the fact that he had no one with whom to share his washbasins underlined his isolation.
From there we get anecdotes about failed dates, hypochondria, his envy of people who glide through life and a vivid portrait of his extended Jewish suburban family, quite possibly the key to his neuroses.
It sometimes edges too closely to adolescent whining for a 29-year-old, but it is delivered in such sharp, bleakly deadpan style one can forgive this Jean-Paul Sartre of stand‑up almost anything.
And for pop fans there is actually one priceless aside about Lady Gaga.
Until 30 August (www.edfringe.com). Shepherds Bush Empire 15-17 November (www.ticketmaster.co.uk).
Simon Amstell
Bongo Club, Edinburgh Fringe
