Showing @ Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh until Sun 25 Aug @ 16:00
Satirist Matt Forde has a message he wants us to take seriously: don’t dismiss our politicians. They’re not all the same and some of them are hilarious personalities, as Forde demonstrates with ease in this endearing, if tame, show.
Putting his cards on the table, Forde identifies himself at the outset as a New Labour supporter. But rather than push an ideology, Forde takes aim at politicians left, right and centre, providing a very balanced hour of satire. For him, mavericks like Nigel Farage should be celebrated for their charisma, even if their policies offend: ‘It’s like Oasis – it sounds good but the lyrics are shit.’ The real villains are the soulless managerial types, especially Nick Clegg, for whom Forde saves his real malice.
The audience is treated to some great gags and anecdotes but it’s with the impressions that Forde really hits his stride. His impassioned, finger pointing Tony Blair is uncanny, while his Ed Miliband – an easy target – provokes a mixture of laughter and pity. If you like your political satire cutting-edge and subversive, this isn’t the show for you. But Forde’s more wholesome approach has a winning charm of its own.