Mark Nelson instantly puts me at ease as he bounds onstage. His delivery is confident and relaxed and he interacts well with the audience members he picks out for attention. There is nothing particularly ground-breaking in his set, but the laughs come regularly, I find myself onside from start to finish.
Nelson is just controversial enough to keep things interesting, but never oversteps the mark
Much of Nelson’s material is on the theme of growing up and taking responsibility for one’s self – a common theme for many comedians at the Fringe this year. However, his endearing self-deprecating humour manages to make it feel fresh. Similarly, there is material on the Scottish referendum which feels less hackneyed than that of many, since Nelson succeeds in giving his stories a personal touch.
Nelson is just controversial enough to keep things interesting, but never oversteps the mark. His social observations are sharp, as are his musings on everyday life. He has a unique turn of phrase which transforms observations which would have been mundane into quick-fire jokes which have me nodding along.
Above all, Nelson is a highly likable comedian. His refusal to take himself seriously chimes well, and his love for what he is doing is highly infectious. Whilst it is unlikely to have tears pouring down your cheeks, this is a charming and enjoyable hour of comedy, and you could do a lot worse with your time and money.
