Gavin Webster: It's About Time We Had More Women in There

• Louise Stoddart
• 14 August 2017

This article is from 2017

Geordie comic takes aim at those he feels deserves some wrath

Back at the Fringe for supposedly the last time, Gavin Webster wants to end on a high and so spends the hour talking about members of society he dislikes the most. After clarifying that the show title is not a reflection of his own thoughts, there's an instant sense of relief from the audience, who were apprehensive that a set of highly controversial comedy was on the horizon.

Webster clearly identifies the groups he dislikes: the self-righteous, the hippies, the militant liberals, the reactionary amateur accountants and … kids. According to him, the world would be too boring and regimented if they were our leaders. Instead, we should just adopt a 'pay taxes and don't murder' policy to encourage a (much) more liberal lifestyle. You may disagree, but he doesn't care, and it's his nonchalant attitude which makes listening to his tangents all the more entertaining.

Webster's tendency to get sidetracked is a little wearing by the finale, and the occasional mention of Nazis and different religious groups are not his finest moments. But at the age of 47, he's nailed the structure of his show and if you're ever in need of a comic to make you feel more relaxed about life, Gavin Webster is your man.

The Stand II, until 27 Aug (not 14), 7.35pm, £9 (£8).