Edinburgh Fringe review by Jack Boyles

Dim blue lights illuminate the stage as Andrew Roper introduces himself as being from Australia, and shrugging off all the jokes he’s had to endure about that from the Brits over the years by inviting the audience to laugh at them. 

He asked where everyone came from – the international audience offering up South Africans, Australians, Dutch, New Zealanders and one Doncastrian (sorry, that was me, spoiling the cosmopolitan trend). Little jokes about each are dished out yet never malicious, and addressing every group in the crowd separately made the show inclusive.

After the icebreakers, what does Roper have to say?  

Break Point is a show about going back to a place you once left, only to return because of your financially secure partner’s new job, having to go back to live with your parents as an adult, and trying to find your place in a world you feel like you don’t belong. 

It’s an anecdotal show, and Roper’s perception towards the topics he talks about keeps the show relatively engaging, whether it’s watching a sex scene on Netflix with his mother, surfing with sharks or Chris Hemsworth. Very rarely do you see a set-up/punchline (though some do feature), instead but it feels more like a chatty conversation. 

Occasionally Roper will feature photos or videos on a screen, such as him failing at surfing or former pro surfer Mick Fanning punching a shark to save himself, offering a welcome change of pace.

Like the unvarying blue lighting of the show, Break Point is a very chilled comedy experience. The show may not have you laughing out loud, though it is enjoyable and mostly inoffensive. But there’s not enough for it to stand out from a crowd of similarly conversational shows this Fringe.

Review date: 5 Aug 2019
Reviewed by: Jack Boyles