It’s clear that Robin Grainger is on an upwards trajectory. The personable stand-up wisely made hay last year with a show detailing his experience playing to one person in 2022. The story was picked up and went worldwide, leading to sellout shows since. This year’s show ‘Refurb’ is a reversion back to the observational and personal material that have made him a well-loved comic in the Scottish scene, but there’s no sense that he’s dining out on his status as a Fringe cause celebre. A pacey, poignant and very funny hour demonstrates he’s filling these rooms on merit.

‘Refurb’ refers to those adjustments you make to yourself, appearance or personality, in order to achieve something. They could be for health reasons, to fit in with a social group, or to progress in your career. They don’t have to be full-on David Bowie-level reinventions, but the adoption of different trends or styles while you’re figuring yourself out. Grainger takes us through the numerous changes he’s tried to make in his life in an endearing, heart-on-sleeve way that relegates his more observational material to a supporting role. This show is Robin Grainger raw, vulnerable, and compelling.

Robin has tackled subjects personal to him before; his childhood in the small village of Portsoy on the Moray Firth, his life with his girlfriend, and his ongoing issues with his body image, but in ‘Refurb’ he delves into them with an archaeological zeal, taking us back to his childhood in a way that makes transparent the origins of his comedic style. For example, his fondness for an unusual turn of phrase and his lexicographer’s vocabulary clearly have their roots in his premature birth and the slight developmental issues that can come with that. He’s clearly worked very hard to overcome those potential setbacks. It also tells you much about his work ethic in general.

Grainger has a kinetic stage presence, constantly moving, almost wearing grooves in the Stand 2’s postage stamp of a stage. His delivery is similarly rapid, pinballing from one gag to the next. Perhaps he could give some of his material time to land before he hurtles to the next, but similarly this gives any gags that fall a little flat no time to germinate into silence. He has some terrific material on his slight frame, and his secret life as an absolute yoghurt fiend. Some would argue that Peach Frubes shouldn’t be spoken about with an almost erotic charge, but hey, a boat can float in many kinds of water. There’s also delightful sections on the multiple childhood fears that have tracked him into adulthood, and a surprisingly triumphant tale involving a bin.

While hopefully that now-infamous performance in 2022 won’t come to define Grainger, it may well have been the making of him. To say he’s become comfortable in his own skin wouldn’t be accurate, there is perhaps a little too much self-immolating material to make it clear he isn’t. But he has definitely found a voice that is distinctly his and has progressed from a reliable club staple to a comedian whose future Fringe hours should be anticipated.

‘Refurb‘ is at The Stand 2 until Sun 25 Aug 2024 (except Mon 12) at 20:10