Well, they did their best, I suppose. Ann-McClain Bridges kicked off proceedings with an apology – quite a few Americans have done that at this year’s Fringe, on account of a president with whom they disagree. Thus there was a description of Irn-Bru as “bright orange and quite nauseating” but at least the Scottish soft drink doesn’t grab women by the pussy. The comedians featured in this show are all London-based, at least at the moment, but that is about all they have in common, and it showed.
There were stories of immigration, and stories of parents immigrating, and what it is like to experience a British stag do as someone who has been to rather more exuberant stag dos elsewhere in the world. Then there were stories that I couldn’t make head nor tail of, but the good thing about a compilation show of this nature is that you need not hang in there very long if you’re not enjoying something, because something else will come along in a few minutes. The flip side of that, it almost goes without saying, is that there are other performances that are over all too soon.
It’s probably unfair to judge a particular part of the world as being funnier than another purely based on an abridged set from a comedy collective. This wasn’t exactly laughs a minute, but it was interesting to experience highly international comedy at a highly international performing arts festival.
Review by Chris Omaweng
An international troupe of seven diverse comedians, actively gigging across London, where they make their home. Freshly prepared, this hilarious variety show will take you on a whistle-stop tour through the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the good old USA, as comedians from all over the plate all try to prove whose part of the world is the most deliciously funny.
Featuring Alida Wünscher, Ann-McClain Bridges, Bilee Joy, Dylan Almeida, Lucy Davies, Tom Frank and Ziad Samaha
ALL OVER THE PLATE: A STAND-UP COMEDY TASTING MENU
theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall at the Edinburgh Fringe
18 to 23 August 2025
