Ian Stone

Source: The List (Issue 582)
Date: 9 August 2007
Written by: Marissa Burgess

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A slice of healthy disrespect

A regular on the national comedy circuit, Ian Stone’s usual 9.05pm crowd are more likely to consist of chattering stag dos and leery hen parties. But the skills he has shaped to deal with such baying crowds make putty of a gently merry, receptive Edinburgh audience. For some circuit acts it’s easy for there to be no real substance to the crowd-pleasing material but Stone has never been one of those. Firstly poking fun at his Jewish heritage, Stone goes on to tackle anything religious; the ‘healthy disrespect’ of his show title is spread widely. He is a tetchy man and the show catalogues various gripes of his, starting with an argument with an Israeli couple in a predominantly Jewish shopping centre in north London.
He moves on to ponder Jesus’ possible Scandinavian roots and then suggests that if men can’t control themselves around Muslim women without veils then it’s their problem not the woman’s. As Stone freely acknowledged, offence may be caused for those of a sensitive disposition, but as grumpy as Stone is, it simply isn’t intended. It’s clear to see that his material is written with wit and intelligence, and performed with a cheeky smile and a healthy dollop of self-deprecation.

Underbelly, 0870 745 3083, until 26 Aug (not 13), 9.05pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50).

More: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Fringe (Edinburgh Festivals), Reviews (Comedy), Stand-up (Comedy)

Last updated: 25 Jul 2008 17:14 BST