Nathan Cassidy’s show is in a container, and he won’t let you forget it! His spiral begins when he catches the eye of a young woman as they pass each other. They lock eyes, and, with disgust, she says “ew” to him in the London Underground. A fleeting moment for Cassidy that sends him into questions about ageing, attractiveness and society’s discomfort with older bodies.
The comedy is deliberately filthy and frequently uncomfortable at times, returning repeatedly to penis anxiety, nudity and an unforgettable anecdote involving a Lego figurine somewhere the sun does not shine. Cassidy contrasts his own show with fellow Fringe performer Garry Starr, whose nudity becomes a comparable subject and a point of reference for his nudity and penis talk. Ultimately, the show is about ageing, self-acceptance, and finding the courage to live to the fullest before time runs out, with a recurring Lego metaphor rebuilding himself piece by piece.
Cassidy is a cocky performer; he always has a big smirk on his face as he expertly controls the container, especially the second row. At times, the sexual material feels overextended, but the excess reinforces the show’s central argument: taking risks requires stepping beyond comfort. I understood the point without necessarily needing to see quite so much of Cassidy’s argument.
Nathan Cassidy: Ewwww! 21:00 at Wee Container 2 at Hoots at Potterrow at 9pm from August 7-16th – 18-31st
