and a half

After eleven years performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, Rob Deering has had time to polish his act and his latest offering, The One, runs like a well oiled machine.

A one man band, he slickly loops his various instruments on top of each other to create a backing band for his various comedy numbers, charming and chatting with the audience throughout in an inoffensive, flirty kind of way. Despite this though, the gig somehow failed to captivate in the way that I’d hoped. 

No doubt the problem was partly down the modest venue and limited audience. Generally speaking, most would agree that adopting a power stance and tearing out a rock anthem is something best done in absolute privacy or in front of a substantial number of people. When performed a couple of feet away from a handful of onlookers it risks losing its theatrical effect. In this way songs like “Putting the cock back in to the rock”, somehow lacked the dramatic impact of, for example, Tim Minchin’s “I Am So Rock”. 

This is not exactly Deerings fault of course, but, more than this, the songs themselves seemed somehow one dimensional. There were some fun compositions, provoking a few laughs but overall failing to enthral or engage on any variety of levels.

It was frustrating. Deering is certainly an able, quick-witted stand up and a competent enough musician, but his songs, which should really be the highlight of the show, were somehow lacking in depth. It feels a little conceited to say of an eleven year veteran, but one feels he could do better. 

Rob Deering: The One

Pleasance Courtyard 

Until 27 August, 20:15

Picture: Steve Ullathorne