For the third Fringe in a row, and the closest I've got thus far to an annual Festival tradition, I went to see m'old school pal Hardeep. While I may not have enjoyed his last show that much (too much like the previous one) I was quite looking forward to this.
While standing in the queue, Hardeep was walking in to the venue. He saw me, exclaimed "Michael Fucking Donnelly!", and we embraced. "You're in the show! You'd better not be sitting in the front ..." (I was).
Anyway, this show is a little more structured than previous ones with a few more defined sequences and a few fewer audience improvisations The latter was still present, just slightly toned down. Much of the banter was also quite familiar too. As the title suggests the show is based around current politics - which frequently feels like it's beyond satire - but is slightly more reflective and conciliatory than I've heard from him. He's certainly toned down the firebrand independence rhetoric; while still passionate about an independent Scotland he states that as it's our country then regardless of Indyref, Brexit, condescension from Westminster, etc it's still our country and we have to find a way to work together, which as messages go is pretty positive. As he's the same age as me I'm guessing the aging process might be getting to him too ...
Overall I think it's the best of the three of his shows I've seen and was very enjoyable.
Oh, and I WAS in the show. At one point Hardeep is showing pictures of when he was at school, including a certain P7 class photo (which I had posted on Facebook and Twitter) where Yours Truly is standing next to him. Rather odd to see your pre-pubescent chubby face on a big screen. As Hardeep said, "You'll notice Mick is wearing a prefect's badge and I'm not. Racism in action? Draw you own conclusions ..." Made me laugh anyway ... so if you go and see his show during the Fringe you'll see me.
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