James Dowdswell at Comedy Bites

As part of the 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival

More James Dowdeswell videos

James Dowdeswell: My Grandad was a Clown and Those are Big Shoes to Fill
Live Review

If Foster’s ran a competition for the best title at the Edinburgh Fringe… well, Stewart Lee would probably complain about it. But James Dowdeswell would probably win it.

This is a cute little show inspired by his discovery that his great-grandfather William was a music-hall clown who worked alongside Charlie Chaplin and the Victorian impresario Fred Karno, a slapstick pioneer. So he dug around a bit to unearth some old photographs and press cuttings, as well as going to a clown school called How To Be Stupid to try to reconnect with his forebear.

And that’s pretty much it. There are no great Who Do You Think You Are? revelations about his family history, or any attempt to make anything more of the story than the curiosity it is, which leaves it feeling a little inconsequential. Even with a couple of ‘greatest hits’ routines from Dowdeswell’s 12 years on the circuit – one about him having the brief role of Count Fuckula in Extras four years ago, which is vaguely relevant, and one the station announcer at Bristol Parkway, which isn’t – the show only clocks in at 45 minutes.

One of William’s reviews called him an ‘able’ comedian, which presents something of an open goal for any modern-day critic wanting to describe Dowdeswell, though that would be to deny the affable charm that just about carries the often flimsy content here.

A couple of 100-year-old jokes are dusted down to show that some of the wit still works today, in contrast to some of the new jokes that already feel a bit creaky, such as imagining what sort of events might be included in a clown Olympics. As a finale, Dowdeswell tries to recreate what his ancestor’s act might have been, albeit very knowingly; but he hardly throws himself into the role, seemingly uncomfortable being anything other than himself.

While ‘himself’ is a likeable enough prospect for any Fringe-goer, and the show is indeed warm and affable, there’s a distinct feeling of missing substance. Big shoes to fill indeed.

Skip to page: 1 | 2

Fantasically funny. Watching him makes you feel clever and happy.

Michael Legge, June 2004

Got on stage and got a laugh within seconds as someone yelled out, "It's Screech!" which turned out to be his school nickname. Loved his M&M routines but Barthlomew his tramp friend stories were hilarious.

Bailey, May 2004

Saw a picture of him thought he looked funny, went to see him and he was.

Andy Barker, August 2003

James's likeable exterior and confidently assertive delivery are a testament to both his natural comic talent as well as a shrewd analytical mind that has a whole lot more worked out than he lets on. A winner.

Marek Tribedi, July 2003

Fandabimuthafuckindozi! A first rate act liked by anyone who is not a dribbling imbecile

Wil Hodgson, January 2003

If you knew exactly why he was so funny then he probably wouldn't be, so that explains why he is

[Anon], November 2002

Skip to page: 1 | 2