Words: Calum Baxter
Image: Drew Forsyth

4 Stars

Following on from his Edinburgh Fringe debut show ‘Hubba Hubba’, Tom Lawrinson returns to the capital with ‘Buried Alive and Loving it’, a performance focusing largely on his relationship with his parents and a brief period of three years when the family lived in an underground house in Spain, hence the title of the show.   

Tom has garnered almost 280,000 followers on TikTok and 70,000 followers on Instagram with his ‘wacky and wonderful humour’ amassing 130 million views of his online sketches. He was the runner up on BBC’s New Comedy Award in 2022 along with the runner up for NextUp’s Biggest Award in Comedy for Best Show that same year. 

But, do not be fooled dear reader, despite making his name from online scripted skits, this stand-up hour shows that Tom revels in reacting to the unexpected moments in the room and responding to audience interaction, raising unexpected laughs with his improvisations after unexpected loud noises at the venue. 

Laughs come thick and fast with relatable anecdotes about retail price matches and boomer parents but also from less well trodden subject areas with punchlines often arriving from left-field and taken further than expected with great comedic effect. 

An affable comic with great stage presence who provides engaging anecdotes made for a highly enjoyable evening of stand-up comedy. 

Tom Lawrinson: Buried Alive and Loving It
Underbelly, Cowgate – Belly Laugh 
21:05
Aug 17 – 25