Arguably one of Scotland’s finest comics, Susan Calman returns to the Stand with the air of a returning champion. In 2007, Calman played her first ever solo show in the Stand 4, but this time she’s performing next door, to a packed and appreciative audience in the Stand 3.
It says a lot about the quality of this comedian that her trial material outguns most other comedians performing in the Fringe this year. Always is a show full of untested material, and although that sounds like a recipe for tumbleweed, it makes for a wonderfully fresh comedy experience. In the days of YouTube and Mock the Week, it can be hard to remain ignorant of high-profile comic’s work, and so it was a pleasure to see a show that was totally new.
Less political in her subject matter than last year’s stint at the festival, Calman plays to her strengths - brilliant storytelling and a sharp wit - and gets it right every time. For the entire show, she kept her eclectic audience, described by Calman herself as ‘Radio 4 listeners, lesbians and random punters’ completely under her thumb.
As this show was primarily untested material, there were obviously areas in her set which will see improvement - her foray into guitar-assisted musical comedy, whilst well received, probably needs some work - and as such one has to approach the set with some apprehension.
Still, the comedy contained in Calman’s reserve locker is intimidatingly good and it says a lot about her own quality and that of her peers that the Glaswegian’s work-in-progress is far funnier than many other comedians’ best writing. In delivering a fresh batch of high-strength comedy, Calman is peerless.
