Words: Natasha Chanse

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd bumbles onto the stage in such a delightfully awkward and unassuming manner, that you’d be forgiven for thinking he was the sound technician. It doesn’t take long, however, for him to command the audience’s attention in a way befitting for the 2019 recipient of the Scottish Comedy Awards’ Best Breakthrough Act.

The set sneaks into the familiar territories of feminism, AI advancements and the cost of living crisis – but he manages to achieve originality on these topics due to his distinctly self-deprecating tone. However, the true reigning triumph of his comedic repertoire is the acute cultural awareness of all the endearingly contradictive aspects of Scotland’s culture.

In a set that skilfully caters to a crowd of locals and tourists alike, Macarthur-Boyd peels back the absurdities of the Edinburgh versus Glasgow rivalry, mocks the nonsensical taunts made by youths in the street and the demise of Princes Street. If anyone else were to perform this set, they would have been driven out of town. However, he manages to hold both disdain and devotion for Scottish culture in equal measure, making the set feel like an affectionate bickering at the family dinner table.

Whilst the audience interaction is familiar and friendly, the poor timekeeping towards the end can make you feel a little rushed out the door. However, the intrinsic likeability of this self-titled ‘speccy’ host leaves you reassured that you are always welcome back.

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: Scary Times
Monkey Barrel Comedy, The Tron
19.15
6-27 Aug (not 14)