David Callaghan: Let's Get This Partly Started

• Brian Donaldson
• 7 August 2016

This article is from 2016.

A solid ideas-heavy show about ambition and avarice

Admitting that he came up with the punning title of his new show before he had much of a theme worked out, David Callaghan warmly welcomes his crowd into the 'world's first comedy planetarium' (had his concept come first, perhaps he could have plumped for Planetarium of the Japes?). Presumably dressed all in white to give off a sciencey air, he comes across as more of a jaunty painter and decorator on his tea break.

So, those are the things Callaghan doesn't quite get right. What he does achieve is another solid Fringe affair which suggests that something stronger is round the corner. His tech-heavy hour(ish) neatly visualises his ideas about the expanse of the universe and how tiny we all are; and yet we should all still find something to be ambitious about (thankfully he doesn't ask us to 'reach for the stars'). Along the way there's a bit of celebrity-baiting as he proves (in Chris Morris style) just how far the semi-famous will go to get their hands on 20 quid.

He perhaps spends a little too much time and effort trying to prove that Phillip Schofield is the devil incarnate, but David Callaghan can be wholly forgiven as he's delivered another enjoyable ideas-heavy and gag-happy show.

Just the Tonic at the Mash House, until 28 Aug (not 15), 11.50am, free.