At Chortle Fast Fringe 2010

Preview of his show Fabbrications

More Michael Fabbri videos

Michael Fabbri - Fringe 2009
Live Review

Michael Fabbri’s second Edinburgh show doesn’t lay claim to any particular theme. Indeed the programme blurb promises ‘comedy ramblings’ and sure enough that’s what you get.

Employing an easy, laid back demeanour, a large chunk of the show revolves around his previous job working in a Job Centre in Camberwell, South London. Given the stressful nature of that job, his laid-back approach was probably a blessing.

It was an occupation so ripe with material, he notes, that there’s no need to make any of it up. There’s the man who chopped up his wife and went on the run – only pausing to sign on, the paedophile he had to construct a CV for and the deluded fella who was keen to start his own business making the elderly young again. Most of the tales are interesting, but more likely to raise gentle chuckles than belly laughs.

As these entertaining stories come to an end, Fabbri then kicks in with more solid material. Here there are inventive, off-kilter routines on cats with crucifixes, friends who form relationships akin to bacteria, and an embarrassing penile condition. Plus he ventures into more taboo areas as he describes visiting his girlfriend’s gran hours after she passed away.

Overall it’s a mixed set from the Brighton-based comedian, but an entertaining one nevertheless.

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By the far the funniest comic on the bill when we saw him at the glee club in Birmingham (as one heckler pointed out to the poor guy who tried to follow him). Very few people make me laugh out loud but he really had the whole audience howling.

Rachel, July 2010

Just seen Michael in Exeter tonight. Brilliant. Had me crying several times. Best comedian by a long way on the night.

Andy Jones, February 2010

Yes, an accomplished intelligent comedian here. However, he does need to lose the rather crass menstruation material. Will blokes never learn? That apart, the best "new comedian" I've seen in a while.

Stephen Hobbs, January 2010

I saw Michael Fabbri at the Camberley theatre with a group of friends and family and we all found him the very funny. We loved the jokes about the job centre. He was by far the best act of the night and was one of the best comedians I have ever seen. I wish he could have had a longer set.

Debbie, October 2009

Awful, nearly ruined the whole show at the Comedy Store Manchester tonight.

ds, June 2009

Have always rated Michael very highly but he has improved immeasurably over the past couple of years. Stormed the headline spot in Southampton last night. Classy writing and performing. Lovely props too!

Keith B, October 2008

Saw MF at the Edinburgh festival this year and he was insanely funny although I believe most of his material on the night was "off the cough" as half the time he seemed to be checking his watch and using improv. I believe his anecdotes are probably the best I have ever seen and like the best comedians he manages to combine normal everyday situations which turn incredibly funny with a believable manner which the audience can relate to. Extremely funny and highly recommended.

Phil O'Donnell, August 2008

Michael Fabbri works damn hard and he gets stronger, more original and more distinctive by the day. Michael sports an easy-going manner that wins you over the minute he walks on. He plays the loveable idiot at first but just when you're thinking it's all been done before he hits you with the harder stuff. But the approach is creative and offbeat rather than bogstandard life's-silly-and-I'm-clever. Even when he delves into smut or rattles off expletives it isn't an excuse for cheap titter, it's just another part of his kaleidoscopic vision. And as he works himself up he works us up too But there's a stern professionalism underpinning the outrageous banter. If there's one gripe it'd have to be the silly props bit. A tad gimmicky for a guy of this calibre, don'cha think?

Michael Monkhouse, November 2007

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