The Middletons

From Live At The Apollo

More Andrew Maxwell videos

Dublin-born stand-up who was named comics' comic in the 2005 Chortle awards (where he was also nominated for best headliner). In 2007 he was nominated for the if.comedy award for the best show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Andrew Maxwell: The Lights Are On
Live Review

We live in turbulent times, although most people at the Fringe are comfortable enough to avoid the worst of it. Perhaps that’s why comedy is more often than not ‘me, me, me’ – with stand-ups picking apart their own lives. Either that or blame social media, which makes everyone with a Twitter account think they are at the centre of the world.

So it’s welcome to see a comedian look outward towards current events and crack not only jokes, but damn fine jokes, about them. That you know Andrew Maxwell can only have written his material about riots only within the past few days gives this impressive opening section an urgency and relevance that’s comparatively rare.

Such immediacy sometimes means topical comedy is given more latitude: never mind how funny it is, look how much of the moment it is. But the mercurial Maxwell’s take on the disturbances is a fully-formed routine, with both proper jokes and clear opinion, hewn from knowing his own hypocrisy. ‘I would love to attack The Ritz,’ he says, stressing the word ‘love’, then, after timing a perfect pause. ‘Or stay in The Ritz.’

It’s these 15 or 20 material on the riots that gets Maxwell written about, but his whole set is freshly minted. The Queen’s visit to Ireland, the Arab spring, the News of the World’s phone hacking, the killing of Bin Laden, the Irish beating England at cricket – the bulk of his set comes from the past few months.

Even more well-ploughed furrowed such as paedophile priests and the greedy bankers are given fresh twists. He doesn’t necessarily go particularly deep into any topics, we’re here for laughs not lectures, but he can see new angles for jokes on Lockerbie bomber Al Megrahi or Israel’s national psyche. He plays up being just a cheeky Irish tinker – even to the extent of having a model wooden caravan on the stage in which to conceal his drink – but he’s a savvy old thinker behind that mischievous bonhomie.

Meanwhile, that everyman persona means he doesn’t have to shy away from a good dick joke if he can shoe-horn some in… and, wouldn’t you know it, he can. This is how good stand-up should be: immediate, opinionated, nimble and naughty.

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Brilliant! One of the finest comedians around!

Paul, March 2012

A cut above. It's an absolute masterclass every time. Just brilliant.

Alexis, January 2012

Just watched Maxwells 9/11 conspiracies on BBC 3. It was pure bullshit probably the best comedy he's ever produced. Well I suppose a paid shill has to advance his career somehow!

Gavin Clarke, September 2011

I agree with Mary above. Pure rubbish. no preparation for his show. would not have been tolerated in the city. His gig was shallow. No wonder the hall was half empty. i wont be caught paying to see him again. I did enjoy him on the panel. Once bitten, twice shy.

ra, June 2011

When are we going to see Andy Maxwell on the TV more? This guy needs his own show hes that funny..seen him a few times at the Glee in Cardiff, Channel 4 pull your finger out and snap this guy up, he's wasted on just the stand-up circuit.

andy farina, September 2009

Hooowl! I'm a fullmooner.Fullmooners show on friday night was brilliant, quite possibly the best show I've ever seen, Eric rocked, Terry stormed, and the breakdancers were ffing amazing, good time had by all. cheers maxwell! nice bit of tummy button action too x

julie, June 2009

We went as a group of 8 at the Old Fruitmarket Glasgow. First half brilliant, second half my husband dragged us all out as he thought the jokes were out of order as spoke about religion... Watched DVD and understood Andrew's beliefs. Sorry we left now my husband is a prod, took it wrong way. Andrew, if you read this my husband raised the complaint? We take it back

Claire Mackay, April 2009

I saw Maxwell last year at the Altitude Festival, he was hilarious! Definitely going back for some more!

Katie, February 2009

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