Review by Steve Bennett

Irish comic John Moynes' first one-man Edinburgh show is a strange affair. It is the illustrated tale of a comic book character who, in a 35-minute narrative reminiscent of Stephen King's The Dark Half, escapes from the confines of his comic book, kills his creator and becomes human.

The character works as an assistant librarian, a job that Moynes himself seems well-suited to. Self-deprecating and nervous, he makes little eye contact with his audience, preferring instead to stare into the middle distance, while his delivery is monotonal and wholly unexpressive.

This is a shame, as much of his material is well-written and potentially very funny. There are no traditional gags - rather, wry and sardonic anecdotes about religion, adolescence and library users, which if related in a more animated way would raise several big laughs.

Told as they are, they barely draw a smirk from the ten-strong crowd, who are virtually ignored throughout. The only spot of interaction occurs when two latecomers arrive. 'I would start again,' Moynes explains to them, 'but it wasn't very good.'

Though this may be irony, his lack of confidence in the show is palpable, preventing the audience from feeling comfortable. Moynes' earnest demeanour and likeability mean they sit in polite silence, sneaking glances at their watches as the comic launches into another samey-sounding tale while flipping over mildly interesting black-and-white sketches.

'Ever been stuck in a Fringe show that seems a little flat?' the press blurb for the production asks. It is sadly prophetic.

Review date: 1 Jan 2006
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett