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Joel Dommett: Fringe 2012

Note: This review is from 2012

Review by Marissa Burgess

You've got to worry about Joel Dommett. Last year his show was about an obsession he developed on a woman who didn't know he fancied her – until she saw the show, that is. This year his focus is on a vendetta he's harboured for his school bully, Chris Hodgeson, who stole his girlfriend Michelle when he was 16.

Though he's not necessarily been nursing, tending and feeding the feud all this time, it was revived when the guy got in touch with him on Twitter: It turns out that Dommett was one of four people Hodgeson followed including Phillip Schofield.

Dommett's ire maybe just as ardent but times have changed: he's a successful stand up who's been on the telly a bit and once had an audience of 10,000 people to his disposal. He also still has his  nunchucks and a silver medal in them to brandish.

Dommett is a likeable presence particularly with his BBC Three presenter style - skinny jeans, floppy hair and boyish symmetrical features – coupled with an endearing vulnerability coupled, a faux hesitation and slight geekiness.

The tale tells of Dommett's mounting frustration as he's reminded of exactly the reason why he hated Hodgeson. Though held together by the framework of his desire for revenge there are a few diversions into other anecdotes, including tales from the urinals at Latitude festival, inadvertently stealing apples from Tesco and supporting Justin Bieber in an appearance at Westfield Shopping Centre.

Dommett peppers the performance with recreations; acting out the rollercoaster ride where he got dumped by said girlfriend was one such highlight as is his finale which we won't give away.

Hodgeson, want to select a new and easier target than Dommett, he's got nunchucks and a microphone this time.

Review date: 24 Aug 2012
Reviewed by: Marissa Burgess
Reviewed at: Pleasance Courtyard

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