First impressions of Elliot Steel aren’t always the most correct, he lets us know modestly upon taking to the stage. It’s a good flag to note, as whatever that might be – South London youth, Nepo comedy baby, racially profiled – there’s lot more once you scratch the surface to this warm and thoughtful man.
Steel is smart, open, self-deprecating whilst also demonstrating a certain degree of humorous cockiness, mightily generous of spirit, and enjoyably skilled at delivering a story. Even whilst provoking room-wide wincing at his medical traumas, he’s got the tools to paint the picture vividly in a way that elicits gasps and then a boom-boom-boom of punchlines to mop up the tension built.
Love and Hate Speech is a mix of escapades and personal musings upon the nature of the support network he has built around himself, taking a cold hard look at his own unusual and somewhat solo upbringing, with the personal fallout it may have cost him casually added to his CV of attributes. With an eye to the celebrity having a famous Dad brings him there’s a glimpse into the cost of focus, with a delivery that has reconciled a lot and gently shares the illuminating punchline.
Steel closes with a tale from fellow-comic Daniel Sloss’ stag do – a final slice of Steel-life from his charcuterie of Steel-life slices that have been so entertainingly and engagingly frank. It’s funny, it’s a little bit edgy, a combination of considered maturity and youthful stupidity, like a lot of the show. A reminder of the quality and an easy warmth throughout.
Underbelly, Cowgate – Delhi Belly, 21:55, 4-27 August 2023 (except 14th)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/elliot-steel-love-and-hate-speech
