Words: Kiera Harper
3 Stars
“What are the chances?”
Phil Nichol’s stand-up show Aren’t We Lucky is a reminder of how fortunate we are to be alive despite all odds.
As the audience walks in, Nichol is already on stage playing guitar and singing Perfect Day by Lou Reed, which, once seated, he encourages everyone to sing along to. This immediately draws the audience in and gets us ready for the hour of laughs ahead.
Nichol begins by speaking of belief, particularly the beliefs of his Scottish mum, a devout Christian, who differs completely from her son, an atheist. Nichol discusses how he constantly argues with his mum about God’s plan, reminding her that the many inconveniences of life aren’t God’s plan, and neither are the devastating, life altering changes like his friend’s leukaemia or his mum’s almost death in World War II. Instead of life being God’s plan, to Nichol, living is down to chance and luck, like winning the lottery. These stories, which remind the audience why we’re here, are the strongest points of the show; they serve Nichol’s point about luck and the things that lead us to where we’re meant to be. There are a few points in the show that don’t entirely fit this sentiment, making them feel slightly disjointed. That said, the parts about love and meaning make up for this by serving his throughline excellently.
The message of Aren’t We Lucky holds throughout with Nichol’s exploration of chance through love, odd encounters and loss, ultimately reminding the audience that chance is real and we’ve received the chance of a lifetime just by breathing.
Phil Nichol: Aren’t We Lucky
Lounge at Gilded Balloon Teviot
17:20
5th – 30th August (no performances on the 17th)