I really enjoyed the hour Robin spends telling us how he feels the need to please everyone. There’s the usual harrowing themes tied in, but it feels much more natural than other comics I’ve seen recently. Homelessness, a legal fight to win his dog, giving away his lunch.
Standing in front of us with his pink hair and pink suit, he tells us the show was meant to be about him ‘getting jacked’ after hitting the gym for a year. But life will blow you down a different direction than you intended.
The energy he channels into his stories buzzes through the room. He has a real knack for storytelling that draws you in. He uses his insecurities as the spine for the hour. But with the ping and speed that he speaks to you, you would think he doesn’t have any. He actually goes with such pace that he could probably trim twenty per cent of his material if he slowed down – although what he could trim, I wouldn’t want to say as it’s all very good.
His audition to be ‘the creature’ is very funny, painting the picture of him stripping down to his underwear, he shows the physicality of it brilliantly, giving his all.
I’m honestly unsure if it was part of the show but towards the end the door opens and a woman who appears to have the wrong room apologises. Set-up or not, Robin handles it brilliantly and works it into his set.
Robin Grainger: People Pleaser, Stand 4 at The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 20:20, Until 24 Aug
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robin-grainger-people-pleaser
