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Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America

 
Joy Watters Review by Joy Watters 4 Published: 2 Aug 2025 Pleasance Courtyard Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-24 Aug 2025

God bless Kieran Hodgson. With immaculate timing, just as Scotland has gestured goodbye to Donald Trump, Hodgson arrives in Edinburgh to give us his take on the USA.

He’s Sandwich Man in superhero film flop The Flash. Yes, really

He bounds onto the stage in front of a giant Stars and Stripes with instant affability and proves himself a genius storyteller. Hilarious and highly intelligent to the point of nerdiness (hear his expertise on naming British railway stations), it’s fascinating to see where he’s going to take us.

He’s a ‘voices guy’ – a Radio 4 Dead Ringers regular – and language is his way into the States. After an English childhood loving American things while his parents dismissed them as “American rubbish”, he finally makes it to the USA. He’s Sandwich Man in superhero film flop The Flash. Yes, really.

He’s taken aback when his American accent isn’t deemed good enough by the producers. It’s not the strongest narrative device for getting us into the country, but it opens the door to some sharp observations of Americans (his Met opera lovers are spot on) and brilliant accents.

Hodgson muses on his shifting view of the States as he’s grown up, and he ultimately returns to the wisdom of his parents – socialist defenders of the English language.

The weaving of heartfelt belief with clever commentary is what makes Hodgson special. He is, quite simply, very funny.

His finale, featuring the arrival of Trump – a subject he has eschewed throughout the show – lands like a punch in the face, given Hodgson’s gentle style up to that point. Not only does he sound like him, he looks like him too. Almost frightening, but what a way to end the show.

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The Blurb:

America. What happened, man? Ever since he was a little loser kid in a little loser country (yes, England), four-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Kieran Hodgson has been putting on an American accent and dreaming a big American dream. But when Hollywood comes calling, does Kieran actually sound American after all? Join the Two Doors Down star as he explores how a scared world feels about the USA and impersonates a bunch of old prospectors and former Presidents. 'Heartfelt and jam-packed with funny' ***** (Guardian). 'No opportunity for a laugh is missed' ***** (Daily Telegraph).