Nick Hall: Live!

• Marissa Burgess
• 22 August 2013

This article is from 2013.

Promising debut in trying circumstances

There are some spaces at the Fringe that really shouldn’t be used as venues, and this is one of them. There’s nothing but a vague partition to separate the show from the diners in this spot’s restaurant, while its main bar runs alongside the audience and all the menus live at the side of the ‘stage’.

It says a lot about Nick Hall’s skills as a comic that he overcomes such opposition to successfully deliver his show. He’s a confident performer who chooses to begin by wryly acknowledging the disadvantages of his venue – even managing to include the neighbouring diners in his audience chat at one point – before moving on to the meat.

His debut hour is, unsurprisingly, concerned with the story of his life so far, a chunk of it spent growing up in Watford. There are tales of adventures in Homebase, Virgin and Boots, and warnings of the dangers of running down dark alleyways on Christmas night.

Hall’s talent lies in deriving a laugh from the very ordinary, and while it might not be the most dynamic show at the Fringe, it still holds plenty promise for future glory.

Bristo Bar & Kitchen, 226 0000, until 24 Aug, 1.45pm, free.