Anna Burnside reviews the latest by the acclaimed comedian.
Phil Nichol is strumming his guitar, singing Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day”, as the audience files in. Not to worry, he tells us, the show has not started yet.
Phil has told a naughty lie. As Nichol works his way to the show’s optimistic conclusion, Reed will play an important bit-part in his story. Alongside his wee Scottish mammy, Kevin Hearn from Bare Naked Ladies, Ed Byrne and Prince’s guitar.
Nichol, who is 61 and a former member of Corky and the Juice Pigs, is experienced enough to tie these potentially shambolic elements into a coherent show. After he’s finished “Perfect Day” there’s a planetarium-style voiceover reminding us of the aeons of evolution that have led us all to a sweaty room in a repurposed student union one day in August.
Then, via the characters described above, he takes us on a sweaty zigzagging gag run to illustrate how this has happened. There is a Canadian citizenship ceremony and a snog with a terrified male audience member along the way.
Nichol’s energy levels would be impressive in a performer half his age. Aren’t We Lucky he is still doing old school stand-up.
Phil Nichol: Aren’t We Luck performs at Gilded Balloon Teviot (Lounge) at 17:20 (60 min) until 30 August 2026 (not 17th). For further details, go to the production website.
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