Yianni Agisilaou in MP3Some: A Love Triangle Set to Music - Fringe 2009
Live Review

The underpinning idea allows him to use brief music cues like a soundtrack to the show, and thus his life, without crushing it under the conceit. It’s back to basics, no PowerPoint presentation or voices off, simply the best words in the best order and some light musical emphases to dramatise a point.

Once we’re into the meat and potatoes of the show, ostensibly three key romances, this turns into sharp social commentary to compare favourably with Woody Allen in his Annie Hall/Manhattan period.

Sarah, Louise and Daisy all get their moment in the sun; there’s warmth and asperity here, but no queasy sentimentality or heart-rending tragic reveals which have been a bit of a fashion for the last couple of Edinburgh seasons. There are moments where he skates near clichés of man/woman comedy stalwarts, but with wit and skill he takes you in a new direction. It takes real talent to pull off a show of such simple ideas, rather than the ‘look at all the facts I know, tipped out in a heap’ approach which can be impressive but questionably funny

Agisilaou states his love of words more than once, and for someone who is clearly in touch with his cerebral side, he’s also skilled with the performance; using the right amount of physicality and charisma, he projects himself to the audience and holds their attention, while making them snort laughing at the common truths of his experience.

This is a classy gem to begin the Edinburgh season.