Words: Calum Baxter

4 Stars

Award winner of 2013’s “Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe”, Rob Auton returns this year with his new show. Rob begins by asking the audience to close their eyes and open their eyes a few times, making excellent use of the strong contrast between light and dark in the room throughout his show to look introspectively at the world around us, look within ourselves and in doing so revealing a little more about himself personally.

Rob Auton’s unorthodox gigs typically blend a mix of observational stand-up, poetry mixed in with a bit of philosophy, as he prefers not to conform to convention. Instead, each hour up in Edinburgh since 2012 has centred around a very niche topic. We are glued to his every word, making for an electric atmosphere where the laughs come thick and fast. And in the most unexpected places.

In this hour audiences are encouraged by Rob to take pleasure in the little things. He opens our eyes to the world and its amazing beauty and eccentricity as well as striving to embrace change. I was left with a refreshing sense of optimism in an ever destructive, chaotic, disheartening world. The closing line “You have to fight with all your might to build a life that you will like” resonating within me deeply.

Rob Auton: The Eyes Open and Shut Show
Assembly Roxy – Upstairs
14:15
9 – 25 August