An inclusive and welcoming midday show with frequent opportunities for audience involvement (if you’re really not up for a few lines of collective singing – lyrics are provided – perhaps the Fringe as a whole, frankly, isn’t for you), this was a broad ranging performance, taking anything and everything in terms of audience contributions in its stride.
Such a reliance on audience contributions as this show has invariably means that every show has different content. On the day I went along, the audience could hardly be accused of oversharing, and it was remarkable how much content (at least partly thanks to a lively and active imagination) Alex Prescot (only one ‘t’ in the name, we were dutifully informed) managed to conjure up given the sometimes very minimal amount of material to work with.
Pictures from Prescot’s childhood of a smiley, happy person have their equivalents in a warm and bubbly personality, despite, as the narrative would have it, the loss of his double-act partner – he’s not dead, he’s just emigrated to Australia. Cue a smidge of uncharacteristic aggression in a brief description of everything wrong with Australia. Otherwise, any ‘negativity’ (inverted commas deliberate) was very playful – there was never any danger of Prescot being cancelled.
The show lives up to its name: there are cushions generously doled out, and the use of a keyboard and ukulele make for a highly tuneful comedy hour. The key is to make it all look effortless, and Prescot maintains an easygoing charm throughout that you’d have to have a heart of stone not to feel gloriously positive after seeing this delightful and charming hour of lighthearted banter and fun.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Join ‘comedy equivalent of sunshine’ Alex Prescot for a delightful debut hour that’s tailor-made for each audience.
Expect a warm and fuzzy blend of joyful musical comedy and quick-witted improvisation.
Don’t expect his notably absent double-act partner.
ALEX PRESCOT: COSY
Underbelly Bristo Square at the Edinburgh Fringe
30 July to 25 August 2025
