Count Arthur Strong's The Greatest Story Ever Told
Metro Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Group: Komedia Entertainment Limited

Geoff Kidder

Having explained the mysteries of Ancient Egypt last year, the voice of Doncaster is back in Edinburgh for another run. This year Count Arthur has expanded his remit and is explaining the origins of life and the bible.

Unfortunately as always the Count loses his thread. Firstly, by talking about the deal he has just signed for his autobiography, and secondly by his wine tasting for the Doncaster diocese of his church.

Count Arthur Strong's greatest strength is that his character is so good, that he can wander around wine tasting for 5 minutes with his back to the audience without losing their attention. In fact it is these esoteric and slightly surreal parts of the show that set him apart from many other comedians.

His version of the Last Supper in which he drunkenly plays Jesus arguing with Judas Iscariot, behind a painted set of the disciples, is a highlight.

As always he has a word for his old friends. His old mate Pete Murray comes in for some stick as does Richard Briers, whom he knew from ENSA during the war when Richard shaved his legs and played all the women's roles.

A word of advice. The joke about going for lunch with his publisher and commenting on the quality of the broccoli will go down well in London, but in Edinburgh broccoli is still a delicacy.

Afterwards I overheard some strait-laced members of the audience complaining that the show was awful and how could anyone find it funny. This rounded off the evening better than any encore.

30 July to 25 August.

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