Demitris Deech: Hypochondriac - Fringe
Live Review

This is Demetris Deech’s first solo fringe show, although he’s by no means that new as an act. He’s blessed with a nice, smiley demeanour and a gently nerdy voice, keen to please, keen not to offend, so that’s the basics covered.

Having the strong title Hypochondriac sets up expectations of an hour crammed with ideas, observations and revelation. So, it’s a bit surprising when he spends a good few minutes on having a funny name, which could sound like x or y or, stone me, z.

Then he spends a ridiculous amount of time compering himself in, with the ‘What’s your name, where you from?’ shtick and gets Atlanta mixed up with Atlantis, thereby skewering his own joke, and then a lengthy bit about the problematic topography of Edinburgh, where he keeps talking about Cow’s Gate, rather than Cowgate – if you’re going to make a big deal of correct naming, then you’d better make sure you do it yourself. Still no mention of hypochondria.

I got the feeling that this was compiled in a hurry on the train on the way up, so much detail about train journeys – this can’t have been part of the planned 45 minutes he would have booked to perform months ago, surely?

It’s a pleasant enough chat, gently amusing, but without any real substance or tight writing, he’s in desperate need of either a ruthless editor or strict director to strengthen what is there. There’s repetition, contradiction, some ordinary ‘men and women’ stuff, you know, where she wakes up when you’re having sex with her, what’s that all about? Plus some thunderingly obvious set ups around standard targets, Jeremy Kyle seeming ubiquitous this year.

The big finish, which finally does deal with him confronting his hypochondria (it’s a self esteem issue, evidently) is a more of a damp fart, allowing him to describe what is a virtually a Carry On Doctor scenario of rectal examination.

It’s a tribute to Deech’s likeability that you indulge his chatter, like putting up with a mildly annoying colleague because you know he’s not a bad bloke, but he could do so much more with this if he was more disciplined at the writing stage.

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Under difficult circs (tiny audience) he compered for three other comedians so effectively did the equivalent of four spots. Amiable guy who obviously cares about comedy. Gave me encouragement to try for myself

greg davysson, July 2010

Deech did a 15 spot for us at our first comedy night in St Ives Cornwall. Came on after a difficult first half and to a cool audience, really got the crowd going, dealt effortlessly with a few hecklers, got a great reaction at the end. We’ve already re-booked him. Would definitely recommend him to other venues. Cheers Deech – great job.

Steve McIntosh, July 2008

Very, very good, I saw him supporting Jim Tavere on his tour and he knew all the local stuff. This guy should go far

Joe Branson, June 2008

I was at the Laughter House in Jersey and I really enjoyed his comedy, reminded me of a young Russell Howard.

Derek Remet, April 2008

As the booker for the Bridgnorth gig, he did very well considering the large amount of technical problems. It was only as he came off we realised people at the back couldn't hear him. I wouldn't hesitate in booking him again, as he's a nice opener, with some great peices.

Paul S, December 2007

I was in the crowd at the Bridgenorth gig and have to say he was excellent, the audience loved him, he had to banter with us as the compere was the worst I have ever seen in my life! Demitris however was brilliant, he set the evening up nicely for the other acts.

John, December 2007

I saw Demitris in Bridgnorth recently, and i have to say I was fairly disappointed. He pretty much got booed off the stage. And was outclassed by a rookie who went on after him.

adam, December 2007

Saw Deech at Howlers in Cheltenham and he went down really well with a tough crowd.

Paul, November 2007

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