Sam Lloyd: Fully Committed

• Laura Ennor
• 5 August 2013

This article is from 2013.

Astonishingly intensive performance by the comedian behind Ted from Scrubs

Running at 90 minutes, Fully Committed is well over the length of your average Fringe offering – but then Ted from Scrubs can get away with that sort of thing. A gentle comedy at a gentle pace, it could probably do with losing those extra minutes, but testament to Lloyd’s natural comedic verve is that it still holds the attention throughout.

In this one-man play, Sam plays Sam, the put-upon reservations clerk at an exclusive New York restaurant … and all of his ridiculous callers. It’s an astonishingly intensive performance, as he snaps between personas and juggles imaginary phone lines without missing a beat. The characters are fairly stereotypical, but charmingly drawn – from the snooty French maitre d’ to the drawling society dame – and the plot rather slow but ultimately heartwarming.

The fictional Sam also happens to be a jobbing actor, with a lonely Pa who just wants him home for Christmas, and the pathos in his character is affectionately drawn. Don’t come for action, then, but come for a seasoned and engaging performance by someone with undeniably funny bones.

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 25 Aug (not 13), 5.45pm, £11–£12.50 (£10–£11).