Who else has a hype man? Of course Phil Ellis has a hype man, MC Tom in his gold bomber jacket and klaxons is first on stage, running through Ellis’ CV like a boxing master of ceremonies, of course he’s absolutely getting some of it wrong. The framework is in place, the best spin put on everything in the name of kitchen sink comedy and a celebrated bedsit of independent living triumph.
It’s a party for the audience and Ellis is the host, smartly dressed in a dark suit with the label sticking out of the neck at the back, flick kicks and winks. He’s utterly engaging, and the most positive man alive on the merits of living in one room, arguing with his ex, and deconstructing comedy writing structures so that even a filler gag in his rule of three lands with the weight of a killer punch.
The pacing is bang on, cutting into the flow with sound cues and viral video set-ups so as not to ever tire the audience but instead re-invigorate them with bonkers ideas. Who else can do a whole section on roadkill and still make it seem like a wilderness jaunt through the hedgerows?
Phil Ellis is a goddamn delight from start to finish. “What is this show?” he calls out, as if genuinely interested in suggestions. “I just wanted people to have fun for an hour.” And a room full of aching faces from laughter testify that he has succeeded.
Phil Ellis: Come On and Take The Rest of Me, 12.45, Monkey Barrel 4, Until August 25
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/phil-ellis-come-on-and-take-the-rest-of-me
