Daniel Sloss: My Generation
Live Review

Daniel Sloss may not be the youngest comedian on the Fringe any more but his age and baby face are still a focus in his work. And despite his age, he has the confidence and charisma of a panel show regular. His youth and inexperience is only really apparent in his material.

Sloss clearly understands the techniques of comedy, with a meander through each joke format, from puns to observation, from reveals to one-liners, all wrapped up in anecdotes about his life. It is a walk through a comedy writing workbook, but Sloss executes it well and his audience lap it up.

Fast approaching his 20th birthday, Sloss tells us that he is worried about getting old, and although the 16 year old Icelander in the front row may have shuddered at the very idea of entering a third decade, the rest of the audience were left cold, miffed by the suggestion that 20 is over the hill. This is not unnoticed by Sloss and his jovial recognition of this gains him instant forgiveness.

Despite his enviable age, Sloss makes his material accessible to all. His gentle stories of family life, relationships and growing up aren't going to challenge the grey matter too much but they do entertain, and there are ample laughs throughout. There are a few groans too, especially for some incredibly ropey puns, the worst attached to Sloss's admission that he loves 'wanking jokes'. He is unapologetic for his predilection for such tales (despite a very endearing onstage blush) and his conviction in his choice of topics is all that is needed to sell it.

An ill-advised jargon-filled rant on the medical definition of drunkenness was the only section that felt highly scripted, with rushed and garbled delivery that reduced its effectiveness. Unfazed, and ever the professional, Sloss wisely ignores the flatline and ploughs straight on.

This is not insightful, groundbreaking stuff but it is a pleasant hour spent in the company of an agreeable act who seems to have his feet still planted firmly on the ground. One of the most mature skills is Sloss's ability to think on his feet and engage with his crowd, which points to an act that, given the chance to develop without being overexposed, could be a contender for the next major Scottish breakthrough.