Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

A commanding performer, Richard David-Caine does not yet have the comedy-writing flair to match his huge stage presence – though, encouragingly, it’s not for want of trying.

This inventive and ambitious character showcase, themed around the topics du jour of mental health and masculinity, gets off to a cracking start with a ‘weird artistic opening’ and the introduction of his first alter-ego, a mesmerising cabaret host. With obligatory cod German accent, stockings and S&M leatherwear, he stalks the stage with the exaggerated sultry sexuality that’s so intrinsic to the genre.

‘Who’d have thought I was on kids’ TV for ten years?’ he asks in an aside. The seductive, predatory wisecreacker certainly is a far cry from his roles in shows such as Swashbuckle, Class Dismissed and Horrible Histories – but this compelling character could surely hold a whole show on his own.

Tall, Dark and Anxious is about the masks we wear and the costumes we dress our personalities in. David-Caine never removes his outfits from one sketch to the next – instead layering them up so he can make a point about shedding these defences when he removes them, one by one, at the end, leaving him vulnerable and exposed - but ready to receive help. That artistic decision may be ill-advised for a sweltering Edinburgh venue, but he never lets the energy of his kinetic performance slip for a moment, exuding star quality at every turn.

Another highlight is a self-important professor giving a smug TED talk on anxiety, a note-perfect parody of the unsubtle oratorial techniques of so many speakers. Less strong characters are his masseuse with a dark secret and the Tennessee preacher giving his impassioned speech on the sins of homosexuality, perhaps a bit too close to the real thing. 

David-Caine has a fine rapport with the audience, though a sketch which involves three volunteers giving their prompted verdict on various medications is fun but slight. The same description probably applies to his Latvian Eurovision host, left struggling in front of her international TV audience when her co-host fails to show up. The tragic reason stands in stark contrast to the jaunty Azerbaijani party tune she introduces, which could almost pass for a real entry.

His acting talents allow him to spin the room’s energy from maudlin to celebratory with the ease of flipping a switch, helping give the show emotional depth as well as impressive character work and a blazing performance.

• Richard David-Caine: Tall, Dark and Anxious is at Underbelly Cowgate at 5.10pm

Review date: 25 Aug 2022
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Underbelly Cowgate