Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

We can surely thank all those clips on social media, but there are plenty of crowd work shows this Fringe – even though it feels a little like cheating to present an unprepared show given how many comedians put their heart and soul into crafting an hour.

Brennan Reece has the best of both worlds. An in-demand compere, the cheeky Manchester-based comedian thrives on the easy to-and-fro he has with his audience. Big chunks of improv weave seamlessly into his prepared material, giving the hour an enjoyably loose feel, full of moments that would only have happened today.

The premise is that, at 39, he’s pretty much in the middle of life, struggling to connect with both those of a younger and older generation than him, prompting good-natured banter with both sides.

Reece also wants to see himself as others see him, so he’s studied all the reviews and write-ups he’s had over the years to see the most often repeated words. They are not especially revealing, being ‘straight’, ‘white’ and ‘male’ – the least exciting and least distinctive trifecta in comedy.

Maybe that’s why he’s playing to the straightest room in Edinburgh. When he asks, ‘Who's gay?’ not one of the 150 or so audience members pipes up.

Topics are drawn from the everyday, such as being back on the dating scene, having no truck with gender reveal parties, mulling if he’s ready for fatherhood, giving blood and pet ownership – rather naively insisting: ‘I’ve never heard of a rescue dog before.’

Understandably, he’s a bit embarrassed by the single white male demographic, but he also asserts that such an umbrella covers a multitude – and even he, himself, has played many parts. 

Not that he’s any sort of toxic ‘men’s rights’ warrior railing against the denigration of his kind. It’s all in the name of being charmingly self-deprecating – and nothing will come in the way of him being gregarious, smiley and welcoming. It’s those ideal MC skills at play yet again, making sure a good time is had by all.

Review date: 31 Aug 2026
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: PBH's Free Fringe @ Liquid Room