FINISHING his Fringe debut with the fond hope that it's laid to rest the spectre of "two-star Webster", the bullish Geordie is one of the festival's more self-aware comics. A stand-up circuit veteran, the no-nonsense, roistering gagsmith might seem
an unlikely Fringe act, looking "more like a person who plays snooker with your brother", and it's to his credit that he's subverted this image to his advantage. Using a Wheel of Fortune style-projection, The Randomiser, Webster performs a routine on any hackneyed stand-up subject, either clattering through it with an appropriately practised response, or allowing his more surreal imaginings to take flight.
It makes for an endearingly unpredictable show. Factor in his recurrent observation that "Edinburgh is very much a trade fair" – funnier each time you hear it – and a succession of films depicting him floundering at various fashionable styles of comedy – nasty, fey Irish, whimsy and gay – and you've got a disjointed set that's invariably more hit than miss. Superb at engaging with his audience, Webster also uses amusing video clips from Viz co-creator Simon Donald and himself and Scouse comic Anvil Springstein, in the rank kitchen sink drama Dorty Bastard.
Until 24 August. Today 10:15pm.
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