Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time is an emotional, touching, and funny performance that explores the darkest joke Ed ever told.
The title of the show is a reference to the concept that time heals all wounds. The phrase “tragedy plus time” is often attributed to the American comedian and television personality Steve Allen and is a way to express that even the darkest moments in life can be transformed into something funny with the passage of time.
Byrne expertly navigates this idea throughout the show, using examples such as getting your car broken into and being able to joke about it the very next day versus someone dying maybe needing a little longer.
And speaking of death, although the show is built around the darkest joke he ever told the heart of the show is about Byrne’s beloved younger brother Paul’s death early last year at only 44 from liver damage, and the comedian’s ability to find humour in even this, the bleakest of situations, now that some time has passed.
What made this show so special was how human and raw it was. Ed didn’t shy away from sharing moments where his brother could be a bit of a dick, but he also shared moments towards the end where even with the situation being so bleak, there was still time for a laugh or two.
We also get to hear about Ed’s absolute hatred of idiots that double-down when they are wrong, Covid conspiracy theorists and more, all of which makes him truly angry at the world, but still able to find the funny within.
Byrne’s set up of jokes to call back to later is masterful, and I am left with tears in my eyes at all times, sometimes from laughing, other times from emotional overwhelm, and at times the emotions get Ed too as he shares some of his prized memories with us.
I can only imagine how much it took to write this show, and with Ed’s brother being so tied to the Edinburgh Fringe, it felt like the perfect place to be playing it. Ed is a beloved comedian, and his brother Paul was a beloved comedy director and writer, and the room was full of love and laughter for both of them tonight.
Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time is a must-see performance that is both hilarious and deeply moving.
Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time
21:30
Assembly Rooms – Music Hall
Aug 12-13, 15-27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ed-byrne-tragedy-plus-time
