Tag Archives: Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Tom Binns as Ian D. Montfort ***** Metro

Dead Funny

 The joke is well and truly on us in the return of Sunderland’s favourite psychic, brought hysterically to life by character comedian Tom Binns. Dressed casually in a white shirt, floral embroidered jeans and comfy sandals, which presumably help to channel dead celebrities who will be his spirit guides tonight, Montfort calmly moves back and forth around the room delivering messages from the other side.

At first, it’s all a bit of a hoot as Montfort fishes shamelessly for answers, ending almost every utterance with a soothing, ‘Does this make sense to you?’ to which the response is invariably, ‘No’.

But once his predictions start to hit their mark, correctly guessing people’s names, where they went on holiday and even the last three digits of their mobile phone number, the uproarious laughter is quickly supplanted by surprised gasps and spontaneous applause.

Every spooky statement is delivered tongue in cheek – Montfort’s solution to one couple’s dwarf poltergeist is priceless – building to an astonishing finale that leaves everyone in the audience shaking their heads in disbelief. Montfort has certainly got the tricks but his show is an absolute treat.

Damon Smith 16/8/11

For more info on the show go to Tom Binns’ show page

To Buy tickets go to The Pleasance Website

John Lynn **** The List

Peggy Hughes gave John Lynn **** in The List yesterday! She said,

Affable comic story-telling with a neat turn of phrase

No matter his subject material, which ranges in profundity from colonoscopies to making the perfect tomato and cheese sandwich, the roguish Lynn is able to mould it into a melodious, charming yarn. An affable, natural performer, he’ll send you away with memorable phrasing that you’ll regurgitate to yourself in moments of despair.

The List 15/8/11

John also got a review in Chortle a few days ago that said,

“John Lynn is absolutely compelling,  I don’t think he even needs the stage to hold your attention, like the Ancient Mariner, you wouldn’t  be able to tear yourself away from his yarns if he buttonholed you in a pub.  He’s got an easy delivery, that like the late, great Dave Allen, can explode with angry, eyeball popping intensity.

He constructs a great anecdote, nothing fanciful, but life embroidered to the max.  The parlous state of the Irish economy, being unemployed, teacher training,  the kids (and exploitation thereof),  relationships, chasing the your dreams,  the stress placed on a good relationship by sharing with your single, troglodytic mates…

He was hugely entertaining giving an impression of his ex being utterly drunk (Shades of Dylan Moran demonstrating intoxication, if you need a point of reference, but still completely John Lynn)…  If you want some intense and interesting Irish comedy, more forceful than beguiling froth, this is worth your attention.”

Julia Chamberlain 13/8/11 online at Chortle.co.uk