“Funny, Heartfelt Stand Up from a Talented Performer”
Tom Neenan brings his new hour of comedy to the Fringe. Although, really, it is a mix of stand up and storytelling. Underneath the jokes and puns is a story full of heart, which looks at how you see yourself then interrogates if we can see ourselves in a kinder light.
Neenan is a warm and charismatic performer. He brings a brilliant physicality and energy to his show, launching himself about the stage, despite the spacial restrictions of the fringe. All this to say, he is an engaging storyteller that finds joy in sharing his life with all of us.
The show is well put together, looking at AI, self image, eating disorders, legacy and much more. There is a simple throughline of Neenan’s journey, which leads to a commission to paint a portrait of a man called Lionel. Filled with laughs, wholesome, and never leaving a detail behind, the set builds to its conclusion. This conclusion also sets an interesting tone. Neenan admits his over-dramatisation. We all know that comedians present heightened versions of themselves; but in admitting this, maybe Neenan is looking inwards and exploring the images of himself that are presented.
While being funny, this show brings warmth and heart throughout. There are some dips in the set, and not every joke lands, but you can be left satisfied with what you have seen. As he leaves, Neenan unveils the portrait of Lionel, the man who saw himself a little bit differently. It is a beautiful moment and a fitting tribute to a man who had such a profound effect on Tom Neenan.
This is a solid show that will take you on a journey. Neenan is a skilled storyteller who delivers in his show, even if he believes Rotter chocolate is a massive hallucination.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tom-neenan-portrait-of-a-tom-as-a-young-neenan
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Bluebell at Underbelly, George Square
Dates: 5th – 31st August
Time: 15.15
Ticket prices: £13.00 / concessions £12.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / http://www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 12+ (Guideline)