A public performer in the most reviewed arts festival in the world should expect to be reviewed. Walking off stage as an open mic comic when you're one of 15 acts on a night no one has had to pay any money for is one thing. But when you're professional charging people hard earnt money just to see you then you have an obligation to deliver. Stand-up comedy is a job. Do the job that you get paid to do.

John M, September 2010

Bob Slayer, pretty sure there wouldn't be much point in reviewing Cooper's show as all of his upcoming shows would have, almost certainly, been cancelled. The main purpose of a review being to help people decide what to go to. The review seems perfectly fair, if I were to blame anyone it'd be whoever was courting reviewers(presumably without Robert's permission) and told him that one would be in the venue.

Pádraig, September 2010

I think that Steve was very understanding and that this review is by no means unfair. He offered to leave, which to me, sounds like a gesture of a reasonable man. Robert White is very funny and will have a successful career. I hope that he learns from this and moves on. Sometimes, things happen. Good luck.

John, August 2010

I am a little dumbfounded by this - I wonder had Steve reviewed Tommy Cooper's last ever gig would he have given him zero stars for unprofessionalism?

Bob Slayer, August 2010

Having started a couple of years before Robert I've must've seen him gig a hundred times at various clubs. This is entirely atypical, he always performs with consummate professionalism even under the most difficult of circumstances. He is also an absolutely excellent act! Major established comics like Rhona Cameron and Sarah Silverman have also bailed early on full length shows. I think getting nervous when looking at an hour unfolding ahead which may not go well is a fairly universal experience for performers.

James D'Chap, August 2010

A totally justified review

Paula, August 2010

If I was going to Fringe this year I would go and see him. Every body deserves a second chance. Chortle, no one has benefited from reading this "review".

Zoe W, August 2010

Why would the reviewer get zero stars. And why is he trying to bring Robert down? Makes no sense at all. Robert mucked up for what ever reason. He has explained why. Fine, move on. And of course it's a lie to call this Robert's debut Edinburgh show. As he did a solo show about six years ago. For the whole of that Edinburgh. Whoops.

CB, August 2010

Robert: I've seen your (full) show and I'm really glad that you got over this glitch. Everyone else: I can only assume you're friends of Robert or his publicity people. I think the reviewer has adequately explained his rating and was actually quite compassionate.

Bernard, August 2010

...That would be to say the reviewer is a loser I assume. What a nasty review. Robert is hilarious, unique and revered on the circuit, and as you will see from his many other reviews and award nominations has been making big waves. I urge people to check him out and not be put off by this. He's destined for big things, and when someone is destined for big things there are small people who want to bring them down.

Chris Dye, August 2010

One of the best most diverse comedians working on the circuit today. An absolutely brilliant debut show. Some great songs too this really was fantastic it's such a shame this happened on a night Chortle were there to review. Go back again!

Harry P., August 2010

People keep asking me how I can do comedy and be so good having Aspergers syndrome. They comment on my confidence and seeming social ability in such tricky circumstances. Well the truth is that all my skills with people on stage are put on, practised and learned , they do not come naturally. This learning has taken time and has got to the point now where i storm many rooms and do well and very well consistently 99.999999% of the time. But for all this i still have aspergers. The autistic trap to see things as a simplistic choice between yes and no, or choice between continue and stop, got to me at the above gig - like a rabbit in the headlights - as i focussed on the fact that a reviewer was in (having never been told before when they were) and my mind decided that , in a split second, it was all lost. So i abandoned the show even before my first joke, a thing i have not done before and will not do again. This was a one in a million thing and I am very sorry for it. But knowing how I am and that it is a thing that is just in me, what am i suppossed to do except move on to do as well as i can at the next gig ? I cannot put my mind on or worry about something i cannot change! So this i did as i went to smash the next spot at old rope, with new material, where just a few moments earlier i couldn't even get a word out of the show i had put years into. This is a one off, an anommolly and something to occour once in a blue moon. This is not me as many promoters, bookers, acts, freinds, reviewers and audiences alike have seen me and know me. yours, with all the best Robert

Robert White, August 2010

Zero stars? What a loser.

Pete Jonas, August 2010