@ Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, on Sun 22 Mar 2015
Like scratching an itch you can’t quite reach, Seann Walsh’s 28 is deeply satisfying, and everything a comedy show should be. After opening with an X Factor-esque audition tape, Walsh does an excellent job at reading the room. This is a tough job on a Sunday night in Edinburgh. Audiences in Edinburgh have a reputation for not being high energy or showing enthusiasm for a good performance. An Edinburgh Festival veteran, Walsh is a pro at loosening up the audience. His tactics include stating that the Glasgow audience is more fun, telling the whole front row to stop napping, that they should stop robbing charity shops and finally steals a woolly coat he wears for the rest of the show. It works for him.
Walsh has a noticeable stage presence, keeping the audience laughing with his grand gestures, constant movement and a majestic mane of hair with a life of its own. His humour is very much observational, going between audience interactions and telling stories, mostly about the novelty of his domestic life. The extreme differences between Walsh’s housekeeping skills and his girlfriend’s were met with nods of agreement from the women and snorts of recognition from the men. 28 doesn’t include as many tales of drunk debauchery as previous shows, but there are still enough for long-time fans. The sight of Walsh attempting yoga and the noises he makes during sex will haunt audience members for some time after the show.
Fart jokes, shed jokes and celebrity impressions; Walsh covers all of the comedy must-haves with the audience in tears of laughter through most of the show. Award-winning Walsh will continue his tour throughout England and Wales until the end of June.