Ali Woods likes to go against the grain, though if you’ve had more than your fill of shows about traumatic experiences, this one isn’t entirely trauma-free. But Woods’ exploration of what are invariably First World Problems are precisely what makes this comedy hour refreshing – he’s not had a bad life thus far, and things are going well for him, all things considered. Why wouldn’t it be – he is, after all, a straight white man. I have no idea, really, how the show’s title, Basher, relates to the material in the show: the first two definitions that came up when I had a quick Google were “a person who physically assaults another” and “a harsh critic or opponent”, neither of which applied to Woods. And there really wasn’t anything at all that came close to describing the Urban Dictionary’s definition.
In some ways, Woods is following the trajectory of other comedians who describe, in successive Fringes, their life as it stands at the time, and include some nostalgic stories of how things used to be when they were younger. The world of online dating was not something Woods indulged in during his formative years: given that he’s thirty-one at the time of writing, that just goes to show how ‘new’ swiping right, or indeed left, and all that is. He references Oceana Watford, a nightclub that no longer exists – at all: its successor, Pryzm, closed on New Year’s Eve 2023. Anyway, the attempts he and his peer group made at pulling girls were utterly hilarious.
The hearty laughs kept coming throughout this frenetically paced comedy hour, which successfully integrated any and all interruptions from the audience into the set. There were, to be fair, very few at the gig I attended – an app on someone’s phone sounded an alarm, and later someone sneezed four times in quick succession. There was a lot of ground covered, and Woods goes for it, diving into topics others would rather avoid, such as certain views expressed by JK Rowling, and whether there really is that much that separates Israelis and Palestinians. And why are certain people obsessed with immigration?
Woods’ disarming and engaging style is better than ever – sharp and witty, the guy is a ball of energy that finds a humorous angle on almost anything. There’s a likeable and assertive confidence throughout that leads me to simply conclude that this is Ali Woods’ world, and we are simply living in it. Oh, and his recent online observations are worth seeing too – I can relate, having personally experienced it at previous Fringes, to the battles at the hotel breakfast buffet.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Join Ali Woods, star of Comedy Central and Stand Up Sketch Show, after his third sell-out Edinburgh Fringe and sell-out UK tour, for his brand-new stand up comedy show.
Known for his viral online sketches (@aliwoodsgigs) with millions of views, Ali Woods has supported comedy greats like Russell Kane, Axel Blake, and Adam Kay.
With his unique blend of sharp wit and relatable humour, his performances are a must-see.
ALI WOODS: BASHER
Underbelly Bristo Square at the Edinburgh Fringe
30 July to 24 August 2025
