Words: Caitlin Finnerty
4 Stars
Gianmarco Soresi makes a dazzling Edinburgh Fringe debut with The Drama King Tour, an hour of sharp societal observation, unfiltered honesty, and theatrical flair. Known in the U.S. as a stand-up, actor, and host of the hit podcast The Downside, Soresi proves himself more than ready to conquer international audiences with his spry, animated style. Bookended by Don’t Rain on My Parade, the show is as dramatic, playful, and self-aware as its title suggests.
Soresi thrives in the chaos of live comedy, his quick wit and razor-sharp timing allowing him to slip jokes seamlessly into every tangent. Nothing feels too rehearsed. Scottish accents he can’t quite understand, and the strange personal details he gleefully shares. From a Skype breakup to his fraught relationship with robots (a childhood betrayal by a robot bear has left its mark), he leans into his own absurdity while exposing universal truths about relationships, family, and identity.
He embraces his “drama king” label, stitched proudly onto the back of his jacket, and blends upbeat candor with darker comedic beats, whether joking about cancel culture, Epstein, or his own neuroses. Jewish, ADHD-fueled, self-proclaimed “annoying,” and unafraid of contradiction, Soresi knows he’ll get in trouble one day, but the ride is exhilarating.
Unpredictable, and hilariously dramatic, this debut marks Soresi as a Fringe force to watch.
Gianmarco Soresi: The Drama King Tour
Monkey Barrel
14:50
Aug 20-24