The Last Show Before We Die is a riveting performance art spectacle that defies traditional boundaries and delves deep into the realms of life, death, and everything in between. As you enter the round tent with its central circular stage, the duo, clothed in nude-coloured tights, lie naked, setting the tone for an evening of vulnerability and raw emotion. Amidst lowlights and the resounding echo of music, a confetti cannon ignites, marking the rebirth of their presence.

Jaw-dropping, heart-pumping, how-did-they-do-that acrobatics paired with the music of the cult movie The Blues Brothers. What’s not to love?

Paul Merton and his impro chums deliver a comedy show that skilfully incorporates audience suggestions to create moments of amusement, often resulting in a charming blend of laughter and light-heartedness. The ensemble, comprising of Paul Merton, Suki Webster, Richard Vranch, Kirsty Newton, and Mike McShane, showcase their commitment to spontaneous creativity, with Richard Vranch's performance particularly shining through.

Before the show begins, audience members are encouraged to write a favourite destination, a drawing, or even their bank pins if they dare on a piece of a paper at the front of the room. As the queue forms and the paper slips fill the box, Shah immediately hooks the crowd by guessing several correctly. Appearing as a mere warmup, the performance only gets better. From being blindfolded and finishing the drawings of audience members on a marker board to reading the minds of several individuals, Shah entertains and delights. While those who wish to simply watch can do so, Shah’s professionalism and humour lightened the room and encouraged the crowd to volunteer. 

A fusion of drag, stand-up and opera, Drag Race All Stars winner Monet X Change brings her one-woman show to McEwan Hall, and it will definitely have you laughing. It only takes a few seconds of Monet’s charisma to have you ready for a fun, fierce, heart-warming show. 

Dan Tiernan won The Frog and Bucket comedy club's "Beat the Frog" new stand-up competition in 2020. The following year he became a finalist in the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year at the Leicester Comedy Festival. Then, in 2022, Dan Tiernan was named British Comedian of the Year and awarded the BBC New Comedy Award. Nonetheless as I descended the stairs into Monkey Barrel 2...