This Norwegian comic was named best newcomer at the 2012 Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

Previously he won the So You Think You're Funny? new act competition in 2008, and was a finalist in the Laughing Horse new act competition the same year.

Daniel Simonsen: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Pleasance Courtyard

Like many of the newer generation of comics, Daniel Simonsen is a nervous, socially retarded misfit, uncomfortable in his own skin.

But unlike many of his peer group, this is only how he acts offstage; on it, he is a odd but assured presence, describing his social faux pas with a quirky, dry wit with a steady eye on the punchlines.

The eccentric tone of the show is set from the beginning, where the traditional offstage announcement takes on a surreal life of its own. Once he emerges into the spotlight, he seems defiantly proud of his shy awkwardness, as if that’s the only reasonable reaction to having to encounter other people.

Simonsen has supported Simon Amstell on tour, and they share a similarly pessimistic, fretful world view.  ‘It’s just really difficult to be a human being, you know?’ he says at one point in his Norwegian accent, the tiny cracks in his English working well with his position as slightly alien to normal people.

His humiliation often comes from screwing up the smallest things in life, such as saying hello, goodbye or even his own name. You might wonder how he even functions, yet tacitly understand the panic that led him into these extreme situations.

Other times, the embarrassment is heaped upon him, as he describes the indignity of flyering for a dentist while dressed as a giant tooth or the awkwardness of being confronted by a naked, pre-pubescent cousin that plunges the audience into territory as uncomfortable as Simonsen’s entire life seems to be.

This is all set around some vague story about a search for his father that took him to Chile and back to Norway, which might once have formed a structural spine to the show, but is now largely abandoned, remnant clinging messily on to the ungimmicky observational comedy that he convincingly delivers.

Despite all this, he doesn’t quite have the killer routines to make the show soar into the truly memorable, and there are a couple of mid-show lulls. But he demonstrates both an assuredness and a distinctiveness of voice that sets high expectations for the future.

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Saw him for first time on telly the other night,a really funny guy.Starts slow but builds up,so stick with him as he's worth it !

Kevin Halls, May 2012

I saw him at the Richard Steele on 21st April. I'm not sure he was everybody's cup of tea, then again I was too busy laughing to notice anybody else. Whereas with some comedians I find myself silent with the occasional laugh, with this set I found myself laughing with the very occasional silence. Will defintietly try to see him again!

KKR, April 2012

One of the best emerging talents on the comedy circuit. Just seems to have that quality of writing which makes him stand out. I like that his 'outsider' persona doesn't resort to bitterness; getting massive laughs from not quite fitting into this silly world.

Paul, March 2012

I saw him last night at Sir Richard Steele and for me, he stole the show by a country mile. The guy had me crying! Well done Daniel :)

Ant, March 2012

One of the most original stand up around at the moment. Brilliant!

Dave Dyanamite, August 2011

Plain brilliant.

Ed O\'Meara, November 2010

Daniel did a 20min opening set at LaughterBox last Thursday. I think he is hilarious - his humour is intelligent, perceptive and subtle.

Cheryl Tucker, June 2010

Me and my friend are his no. 1 fans. He is just intrinsically funny. There are no words. Apart from those ones.

Emma, June 2010

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