Alex Edelman returns to The Edinburgh Fringe with his new show Just For Us after a two year hiatus, he’s been busy writing comedy for the likes of Stephen Fry no less, and entertaining Royalty at the BAFTA’s. That probably gives you some indication of the quality of Edelman’s writing skills, and his delivery is just as well honed.
He tells us at the beginning that his comedy is just “dumb bullshit”, take it at face value and maybe that is how it could be perceived, but dig a little deeper and you realise just how well constructed this stand-up routine is. Edelman navigates a whole host of tricky subjects without flinching and easily reels in the laughs.
Using his Bostonian roots and Jewish heritage as the starting point, Edelman describes a meeting with a group of anti-Semites and his attempts to reason with them. Of course, it’s a damning indictment of how the world is shifting, and while he tries to see the best in everyone he can still take anyone down with a sharp retort, and of course, who doesn’t love a bit of revenge, served as a cold dish.
It’s not difficult to understand why Alex Edelman always draws a large crowd, many of them faithful fans. There’s no concern over sitting in the front row because there’s no need for him to rely on the audience to fill any gaps. His jokes flow naturally and are laser sharp, this is a masterful example of flawless comic storytelling.
Watching Alex Edelman’s Just For Us is a bit like seeing your best friend after they’ve been absent for a while, you can allow yourself to hang on to his every word, captivated by the tales he has to tell and feel totally at ease. Edelman’s self-deprecating humour is beloved by his growing number of fans who have welcomed him back to the fringe, and Just for Us is one of the best stand-up routines you’ll see in Edinburgh this year.
