Nick Elleray: It's Been Emotional

• Kenza Marland
• 24 August 2018

Likeable comic without proper jokes or watertight tales

This is a mostly uncomfortable 50 minutes entailing a series of failed jokes and rambling tales that lack punchlines. The Australian comic discusses growing up as one of a huge family of brothers and painstakingly explains their individual nicknames of Nickbo, Fuckwit, and the Heart of Darkness. There are obvious jokes about growing old and giving his seat up on the Tube, and the struggle of renting in London. His overall honesty about the struggles of masculinity is appreciated, but the material is neither original or well-delivered, with too many jarring moments such as an impersonation of an alligator rolling its eyes, which is almost excruciating.

The revelation of the loss of a family member towards the end of the show is – of course – a real tragedy, and it's admirable that Elleray is able to address such an awful experience through his comedy. But this performer needs to rethink his material in a big way, and focus on getting proper laughs. His one repeated call-back is a prime example of his seeming failure to understand what's working and what needs to be dropped: referring back to a line which wasn't funny to begin with is a serious error. This is a real shame, as Elleray seems a likeable comic who is promisingly able to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, until 26 Aug, 4.40pm, £5 in advance or donations at the venue.