Words: Caitlin Todd

4 Stars

Following last year’s health scare, Susie McCabe returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Best Behaviour; a heartfelt, hilarious account of what happened to her last July in Bristol. With her signature dry wit and rich Glasgow accent, McCabe has the audience laughing from start to finish, taking us from defibrillators in unlikely Scottish places to the thrill of finding a potato scone in an English hotel.

The structure of this year’s show centres around one extended story, as McCabe reflects on everything from a seven-course Hilton breakfast, to her wife being more annoyed about shopping at Lidl than the fact McCabe was in hospital. There’s a warmth and authenticity to her delivery that underpins every punchline, and her ability to pull humour from difficult moments is as sharp as ever.

That said, having seen her previous show Merchant of Menace, I did find myself missing the variety that came from a broader set of stories. Best Behaviour is cohesive and personal, but occasionally I wished for a few more digressions or shifts in pace.

Still, there’s no doubt McCabe remains one of the Fringe’s strongest comic voices. Winner of the 2024 Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, she delivers a performance that balances pathos, observational humour, and sharp comic timing.

A strong return from a performer who continues to bring her A-game, even when life throws her curveballs.

Susie McCabe: Best Behaviour
Gordon Aikman Theatre at Assembly George Square
20:35
30th July – 24th August (not 12th)