Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical
David O’Doherty: We Are All in the Gutter, But Some of Us Are Looking at David O'Doherty

This time next year, the Assembly George Square Theatre will not be big enough to contain David O’Doherty. Nor will Murrayfield stadium. At the rate he’s going, he says, next year’s show will be performed from a balloon hovering over Old Town, O’Doherty with mega-phone in hand. If this is a troubling image, rest assured that he’s exaggerating for comic effect. The Irishman, who won the Comedy Award in 2008, has been coming to the Fringe since 2000. You get the sense that if he is going to go stratospheric, it would have happened by now. But that misses the point; O’Doherty’s confidence is indicative of a comic at the top of his game.

His has retained in his act the childlike amazement at the small things in life, adding to the mix a more mature, misanthropic element.

Due to the vagaries of the Assembly Rooms ticketing system, I did not receive a ticket for the show I was originally scheduled to attend. Whatever twist of fate made it so, the show I missed saw O’Doherty recovering from a bout of food-poisoning; the one I was allocated in exchange was the prime-time slot of midnight on Friday. Before he appeared onstage the atmosphere was buzzing, and O’Doherty clearly fed off this as soon as he stepped out.

In recent times, he has added more bite to his low-energy musical whimsy act, engaging with more social issues, all the while maintaining his signature playfulness. This year’s show sees him pick up where he left off last year, addressing the general sort of unease that permeates his day-to-day existence. His sense of disappointment with events in his life ties the seemingly disparate assortment of anecdotes together – from his despair at being gifted the wrong type of Star Wars action figures as a child to his less-than-dignified celebrations following the recent marriage referendum result in Ireland. His has retained in his act the childlike amazement at the small things in life, adding to the mix a more mature, misanthropic element (there are airs of Dylan Moran somewhere in there).

And of course, there’s the keyboard. Not used as often now (he is more mobile around the stage), it still gives O’Doherty the opportunity to hammer home through song a particular point, or provide a vehicle for easing us through unexpected shifts in tone or direction.

The once curious side-act has hit the big-time and comedy audiences are all the better for it. 

Reviews by Ryan O'Connor

Whistlebinkies

Alex Smith – Real Man

★★
Summerhall

Josie Long

★★★
Gilded Balloon Teviot

Tommy Tiernan: Under the Influence

★★★★
theSpace on North Bridge

Crave

★★★
Venue150 at EICC

Frankie Boyle: Prometheus Volume I

★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

David O’Doherty, the Lidl Enya, the broken Bublé, is delighted to present a new hour of talking and songs played on a stupid keyboard from 1986. Life is like a box of chocolates, but one where somebody else has eaten all the chocolates. And replaced them with mouse heads and dishwasher tablets.
Buy cheap tickets for The Lion King
Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Nutcracker - London Coliseum
Nutcracker - London Coliseum

From £22.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Six
Six

From £42.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for MAMMA MIA!
MAMMA MIA!

From £15.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

From £23.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Cabaret
Cabaret

From £37.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Cinderella Kings Head
Buy cheap tickets for Alls Well That Ends Well
Buy cheap tickets for Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma
Buy cheap tickets for Mean Girls
Buy cheap tickets for Dr Strangelove
Buy cheap tickets for Mary Queen of Scots
Buy cheap tickets for Circa Duck Pond
Buy cheap tickets for Oedipus starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville
Buy cheap tickets for Marriage of Figaro
Buy cheap tickets for Juno and the Paycock