Marlon Davis is that rare thing: a comedian so utterly, effortlessly likable that you can’t help but be won over as soon as he walks onto the stage. His open, friendly style is instantly accessible to everyone in the room, and the ease with which he moves from anecdote to anecdote is refreshingly natural. Considering this is his first appearance at the Fringe, this is quite an achievement.
However, not all his jokes are a success and indeed many have a studied air that stifles the impact they might otherwise have had. The parts of his routine dealing with living at home with his mother and subsequently moving to his father’s have a recycled feel to them, with jokes and observations that have too often been heard elsewhere. Likewise many of those referring to his young son, while lovable, lack focus and feel a tad overdone.
Instead, he is at his best when simply engaging in off-the-cuff banter with the audience and taking seemingly unplanned detours from his routine. Warm, witty ribbings directed at members of the front row went down particularly well with the surprisingly young crowd. An unexpected exchange with a lesbian couple sitting towards the back provided another highlight, with Davis’ light-hearted approach allowing for easy laughs and good-humoured teasing.
His introductory tales about arriving in Edinburgh hit the mark, related with an approachable charm and an impressive eye for the humour to be found lying within everyday mundane events. The small nature of the Pleasance Hut venue lends the gig a relaxed intimacy that complements this style and enhances the overall atmosphere of good-willed familiarity.
This is not perfect comedy by any stretch of the imagination, but you are guaranteed to leave smiling and that in itself is no mean feat.
