Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

There are several comics who have been on the circuit for such a long time that they’re in danger of being taken for granted. Ian Stone – Stoney to his pals – is a good example. He’s such an accomplished and likeable practitioner that he makes this job look like a doddle.

He eases us in with twinkly charm, suggesting that ‘I’m keeping it together’ is the best way to respond when someone asks how you are, given that ‘I’m fine’ is simply not a true indication of the amount of effort life requires. 

We get some fun stories about how much racism you can tolerate, the joys of being able to deploy the ‘wanker' sign in UK traffic without being shot, what it’s like playing five-a-side with Jewish pals of a similar age (he’s 61 now), and what the game teaches you about life. There’s also a gorgeous gag about Keir Starmer’s charisma.

Stone then draws us into a fascinating story about his parents’ backgrounds, delivered in part to illustrate why his nonagenarian dad is still the ‘selfish prick he always was’. We get a brilliant tale about his father phoning in a bomb threat to the postal sorting office where he worked so he didn’t have to go back to work after lunch, and a jaw-dropping glimpse into old Ken’s idea of romance during his November honeymoon in Bournemouth. 

Applying the lightest touch to family history, he shares insights about how, when and why his parents’ families moved from Poland to the UK, and it all sounds like a movie - as his knowing reference to Fiddler On The Roof confirms.

You could enjoy this laugh-heavy hour from this likeable pro as a straightforward, easy stand-up set, or you could listen closer and appreciate the subtle message: that little problems get bigger if you don’t address them quickly. Either way, you’ll walk away feeling satisfied.
 

Review date: 23 Aug 2024
Reviewed by: Ashley Davies
Reviewed at: Laughing Horse @ The Counting House