Andrew Maxwell

Source: The List (Issue 582)
Date: 9 August 2007
Written by: Mark Robertson

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Irish storyteller continues to delight

There comes a point in every comic’s career where he or she must decide whether they are going to stay the joker forever or grow up and move onto doing something respectable for the rest of their life. Andrew Maxwell had a brief shot at British TV semi-fame a couple of years back when he won E4’s Kings of Comedy reality show but never fully capitalised on it. From the vague title of his show (Waxin’) and the disclaimers made at its outset, we can gather that Maxwell has resigned himself to being the clown forever. And thank god for that.

Andrew Maxwell is this generation’s Dave Allen, a singular storytelling force who, like a stand-up Napoleon, is unafraid to motor on into choppy waters – from Bertie Ahern to gay swimming – and shoot off a few canons to ruffle many feathers for laughs. And when, towards the end of the show, he gleefully mentions that he’ll still be showering us with his gags from the stage on some cruise ship when he’s 76, only then does he make you realise that the sensible life’s loss is our huge gain.

Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 27 Aug (not 15), 8.20pm, £12.50–13.50 (£11–12).

More: Andrew Maxwell, Edinburgh Festivals, Reviews (Comedy), Stand-up (Comedy)

Last updated: 29 Nov 2007 12:17 BST