Words: Caitlin Todd
Image: Matt Stronge

4 Stars

After a successful run at London’s Soho Theatre, Kieran Hodgson returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Voice of America. A charming, sharply written hour that blends political observation with personal anecdotes and hilarious impressions, as Hodgson explores his love affair with America.

Hodgson is a master mimic, and here he turns his focus to the United States. Cue tales of family holidays,
filming for The Flash movie, and a wide range of impressions of American comedians, Presidents and movies. From how his improvisation skills lead to naming English railway lines to ways to sound more American, spring break trips gone wrong, and an agent who is always “super excited” for his projects. Hodgson showcases his mimicry talent through continually shifting accents across the fifty states, keeping all thoroughly entertained.

Though pitched as a “Trump-free zone,” the show can’t resist a few forays into the politics of the past decade. These are smartly handled, never tipping into polemic, but explore how America has changed over the years.

Best known for his work with the BBC, Channel 4, and receiving the 2021 Royal Television Society of Scotland Award for How We Forgot To Save The Planet, Hodgson reaffirms his status as one of the Fringe’s most inventive comic voices. A thoroughly enjoyable, easy watch.

Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America
Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard
21:30
30th July – 24th August