Words: Calum Baxter
Image: Andre Patten

4 stars 

Cabaret Voltaire, located within the historic underground Edinburgh vaults is arguably the perfect venue to host Stuart Goldsmith’s stand-up hour focusing on climate change. A fitting allegory for an ominous future as the remaining population retreats into bunkers unable to face the reality of our doomed planet. 

In the hands of a less experienced comic introducing such a serious subject as the focus of a stand-up show could come across as ham-fisted and preachy. However, Stuart alleviates any scepticism by pointing out his own hypocrisy after encouraging audience members to share their own climate confessions such as excessive international flights and water wastage. 

Stuart, himself, recognises that captivating performance art is fuelled by passionate rhetoric although when the subject area in question is accompanied by an agenda or an ulterior motive to persuade the audience to take affirmative action a stand-up show can appear to descend into a rally. 

After surviving a car accident as a child, he acknowledges his tendency to catastrophise situations in his personal life as an adult. Focusing his energy on such a pressing concern for the entire population is a way for Stuart to channel his anxieties into a force for good. Encouraging audience members to make small changes in their everyday life fills us with renewed optimism despite the overwhelming situation we find ourselves in. An earnest, informative, witty hour of stand-up comedy from a seasoned professional who endears himself to this captivated crowd.  

Stuart Goldsmith: Canary
CabVol 1 at Monkey Barrel Comedy
14:25
Aug 24-30