Jamie Kilstein is not a good guy. He’s actually done some pretty awful things, but for some reason I couldn’t stop myself from liking him. He went for a little over an hour talking about his struggles with suicidal thoughts, self-destruction and finding god in the saddest way possible, it’s a truly depressing show. The one thing that contradicts the darkness is his personality; he is exceptionally good at making light of his own issues and personal failings. Perhaps he is not the kind of person I would want to speak to if I knew the information he disclosed about himself in this show , but the way he explains these aspects and flaws in his personality is fascinating and left me wanting to ask questions.
The show begins with Kilstein entering the stage in silence, stepping up on a chair, rope in hand, attempting to tie what appears to be a noose. He very quickly laughs off this dramatic sequence and begins to tell his story. Throughout the retelling of his past, which led to his cancellation on both sides of the political spectrum, we hear of his close friendship with Robin Williams. Just in case you needed another reason to love Williams, Kilstein explains how much his friendship meant, how it felt like when you were friends with Robin, you were his only friend. Beyond this, he dives into his relationships, experiences with drugs, becoming a Christian influencer and much, and I mean much, more.
This show is very difficult to summarise in such few words, but I left that room with a bittersweet feeling. Beyond comedy, it provokes emotions a standard stand-up show shouldn’t. Definitely worth going to if you are interested in someone being unapologetically open about their failings and sometimes morally reprehensible mistakes. It is also very funny!
Jamie Kilstein: Can’t Tie Knots 21:50, Lounge at Gilded Balloon Teviot Aug 5-31 (not 18, 25)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jamie-kilstein-can-t-tie-knots
