Show Details
Jason Byrne
Show type: Edinburgh Fringe 2003
Starring Comic:
Jason Byrne

Jason Byrne


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Description

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Reviews

Original Review:

Show Rating:Jason Byrne rated 3/5

Byrne always lives in the moment, relying on his spontaneity and sense of mischief to carry an audience to unexpected highs. But it doesn't always work...

His set looks like it was stolen from the Father Ted lot, with comfy sofas and Jesus centrepiece - which he repeatedly used to threaten the audience.

But Byrne seemed to suffer from playing such a large room, having to repeat much of the audience's side of the banter for all to hear, losing a lot in the translation.

He invited a couple from the audience on to his lovely sofa and riffed with them for a while, before removing the man's shoes. But this didn't raise too many laughs so he declared them "too posh", and delved into the audience again to look for more unwilling victims.

This was amusing at times, but stagnant at others; a perplexingly lacklustre performance given Byrne has the proven ability reduce an entire audience to tears with his comic genius.

Away from the improvised banter, Byrne had some fabulous stories to share, such as American tourists asking him if he had built the castle himself, and explaining his stance on hitting children.

But for the most part, Byrne's natural funny bones seemed to have deserted him. Forty minutes into the show, many of the audience began to become restless and even "posh bloke" (minus his shoes) left the stage to go to the bar.

It was frustrating to see someone so inventive failing to capitalise on their God-given talent.
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Comments

Best comedian I have ever seen live. Seen him last 3 years at Edinburgh festival. Different each time, but 2003 was the most refined yet spontanious and funny of them all. Why is this guy not huge with his own series?

Nick Lewis, August 2003

Went to see him at the fringe with my brother, who made the mistake of going for a piss halfway through. Sure enough Jason expertly abused him for ages. Very very funny.

Joe N, August 2003

Top man yersel Jason. A skilled comic who is a naturally mad Irish fecker. 8/10 Go see for yourself.

Allan, August 2003

A brilliant, hilarious, frenetic rant. Laughed my head off throughout.

Sandra, August 2003

A good show that went a little too heavy on the audience interaction. Don't get me wrong - he dealt with the crowd brilliantly (especially the exodus of toilet go-ers about a third of the way through his set!) but the show did drag a little in the middle whilst he tried to wring every possible comedy morsel out of the freakish front row. What we saw of his set was well observed, and never again will I be able to hear the words, "Is the Queen in?" without creasing up. One to see.

Steven Hines, August 2003

Opening night at the Pleasance last night was fantastic, great audience interaction and without a doubt some of the finest improv I have ever seen. Without a doubt the funniest thing I will see this summer. A must-see

DIH, July 2003

His show was absolutely hilarious. He had the whole audience crying with laughter. Blinding show!

Glasgow, July 2003

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