Words: Elodie Marriott 

4 stars 

“Who’s ready to laugh their ass off?” 

Starting off strong by threatening to give us “reverse BBLS”, this is only the first of many probing questions throughout Innkeeper, with perhaps the most unanswerable being: “Anyone here flaccid?” 

These embarrassing queries combined with his status as one of the most self-deprecating comics working today, only add to the evidence that Eric Rushton gets off on making his audiences as uncomfortable as possible. But despite the invasive Qs & reluctant As, Rushton’s set is one of the most fluid and meticulously crafted routines you’ll see this Fringe. 

His stage presence-minimal movement with two hands grasping the mic-mirrors the tone of his content: slightly awkward but entirely enjoyable. Feelings of inadequacy, anxiety around body image and being rejected romantically are well-ruminated topics for stand-ups, but in Innkeeper they feel wholly innovative. 

Though he claims his gigs are like “super spreader events for depression”, once Rushton steps on stage in his signature tracksuit top, you will no longer want the number one best antidepressant. You won’t even need Rushton’s number four. 

Eric Rushton: Innkeeper
Monkey Barrell Comedy
15.20
21-24 Aug