Review > Andrew O'Neill: Occult Comedian | Andrew O'Neill's Hour-Long Character-Based Comedy Show
Two for the price of one from dark-materials and metals-expert comedian Andrew O’Neill
IF HEAVY Metal transvestite comedy with reference to the occult has a chance at the big time, it will be thanks to Andrew O’Neill. O’Neill’s late show, Occult Comedian, reminds me of Wil Hodgson’s first show, and I mean that as a huge compliment.
It is wholly personal, fascinating stuff, original and left-field to the point of bumping into the perimeter fence. He has a spirited discussion with himself about black metal, death metal and Swedish death metal and does a couple of knock-knock jokes before carrying on to The Satanic Bible and Aleister Crowley. I suggest you do not leave Edinburgh before hearing him on the subject of the trials and tribulations of being a vegan transvestite (loved the neon pink stockings, by the way). O’Neill is a charming, genuine stage presence. Most of the time he is anecdotal or enthusiastically explaining the benefits of the occult and black magic, about which he certainly knows his stuff. What adds an extra layer of enjoyment is that he can, out of the blue (or perhaps the black) be wonderfully punny one minute and thrillingly acid the next. Peter Kay, watch your back. His suggestions for The Jonas Brothers we cannot print here.
O’Neill’s other show also has a basis in his own life. Some of the ‘characters’ in his ‘character based comedy’ are creations performed by O’Neill and some are real characters from his past – mainly the many ‘uncles’ of his childhood. This is, again, properly original stuff, gently funny and intelligently used to cover his costume changes. His three created ‘characters’ are each much more clever than they might look.
Captain Laser is a member of an elite band of superheroes called ACRONYM, Lathaniel Matterhorn tells the truth about Sudan, Gloria Hunniford, politically correct astronomy and golf bunkers, and Thoth Alak Thoth explains how Jimmy Savile exists outwith linear time. Again, there is a smattering of fascinating stuff about occultism. Which seemed to work as Maisie Stephenson (a lovely lady three from the front) reached her ‘level of happiness’ by the end of the show.
The fact that you can get two hours of utterly original comedy from a fascinating new talent for a fiver (the early show is free) makes it worth parking in Musselburgh and clambering over roadworks to come into Edinburgh this August.
ANDREW O’NEILL: OCCULT COMEDIAN ***
DOWNSTAIRS AT THE TRON (VENUE 51)
ANDREW O’NEILL’S HOUR-LONG CHARACTER-BASED COMEDY SHOW ***
THE GLOBE BAR, NIDDRY ST
Occult Comedian until 30 August. Tomorrow 10:20pm.
Hour-long… until 29 August. Tomorrow 3pm.
