Spirited and heartfelt
Steffan Alun’s debut hour “Stand Up” is no typical debut, coming to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe from the unconventional route of being in comedy for 15 years, and having performed here since 2015.
In this packed but well-paced hour, we cover a variety of topics – from his beloved Wales, his ADHD and bisexuality, through to a very British approach to trash TV, number-based pop groups and why druids are sexy. Traversing such diverse topics could seem disjointed in less talented hands, but there’s a seamless flow between topics, navigating unexpected diversions with ease, and with an endearing lightness of touch.
Personal favourites of mine were the pop culture statistics that studded the show – the linguistic demographic of pop band Steps is something I will regale for a long time to come. Equally, I don’t think I’ll ever consider my eyeballs in quite the same way either (no spoilers, you’ll just have to see the show). Not every punchline landed, but those that didn’t get the expected reaction were met with a raised eyebrow or a wry smile, and I have no doubt those will be refined as the Fringe progresses.
Steffan also did well to contend with the mildly awkward room arrangement and lighting, but the compactness also added a cosy and conspiratorial feel.
The enthusiasm for each of his topics is apparent throughout the show, and we finished with a particularly impassioned plea about why stand-up (and standing up) matters: to tell the stories that would otherwise be left unsaid, to be met unexpectedly as we go through life. The very fact he is in the room with us, and together we’re sharing the experience of hearing the stories that wouldn’t normally be told, is a fantastic insight into the human experience.
Such an evident display of genuine passion for your profession will always win this reviewer’s heart. Steffan’s got stories to tell, and I recommend you make time to hear them. It’s this authenticity and “je ne ce quois” (if you know, you know…) that will lift the spirits of anyone in attendance.
Steffan Alun: Stand Up runs from 31 July to 25 August, at 21:30 in Hoots @ Apex (Hoots4).
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