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Edinburghguide.com
14 August 2006
Rating (out of 5):
For anyone who has seen Laurence Clark flyering on the Royal Mile, the first thing you need to know is that he is not a disabled comedian. He is a very, very good one.
This show deals with his traumatic experience of being on Jim’ll Fix It sixteen years ago, and covers all related topics of expectation and disappointment. From start to finish he has the audience in his hand and this is the first show this Fringe I wasn’t glad to get out of. Clark draws on his experience with cerebral palsy for his comedy, but only in the same way as any comic draws on their own life experience, and not one of the bursts of audience laughter comes from sympathy. He is a brilliant observational comedian. He effortlessly manages to be offended without being offensive, to be angry without being bitter and to leave you thinking, but mostly leave you laughing.
The only problem with this experience was the venue. I realise that a raked auditorium is somewhat of a luxury during the Fringe, but Jim Fixed It for Me is a show that is genuinely enhanced by its multimedia and visual comedy – it was a shame not to have had a full view. However, at no point does Clark rely on these visuals, so I would not only recommend this show but urge everyone to go out and buy a ticket immediately.