Steve Shanyaski provides an hour of solid laughs; this loveable Mancunian has a twinkle in his eye and a high energy routine that will leave you giggling. Shanyaski has performed at the Fringe before and has a few television appearances under his belt to boot. This year he's here to talk all about how to cope with modern life. However, his life survival bible could benefit from straying further from the beaten track.
Shanyaski spends a great deal of time ripping into his girlfriend and his female impersonation is hilarious. He portrays her over-straightened hair, her various angry faces and the way she falls in after a night out. He has a lot to say about modern culture and relationships and his spot-on social commentary is perfectly combined with physical representations of his targets; ASBO wearers and working-class children called Britney all come under attack. There are songs about the disappointments of internet dating, daring descriptions of nipples and a hilarious, if slightly lengthy, phone sex routine. Shanyaski will take those moments you don't fully appreciate - such as silently arguing with your partner - and will transform them into chortle-worthy gems.
These observational musings are instantly recognisable and his slick, confident gags rarely miss. However, he treads a comedy path that is rather too familiar. It would be nice to see Shanyaski tackle something a little less ordinary. He pulls such good material from the mundane, everyday things in life that there is real potential for some different content to make him shine. Several moments glint with Shanyaski's potential; his impression of a Northern girl during sex, 'Oh that's bob on, that,' is more risque and is consequently a real hit. This show is very funny throughout but lacks the real belly laughs it needs to leave a lasting impact.
