For audiences, no day at the Fringe is the same as the one before. Shuffling between unending piles of flyers can feel like a world of infinite possibilities. Enter Kevin James Doyle’s Wild Card, an interactive stand-up show where the audience provides the prompts, and Doyle does his best to stitch together an entertaining hour from the quirky, philosophical, and surreal premises offered up to him.
New York-based Doyle is comfortable handling whatever is thrown at him while keeping a mixed and eager crowd on side. While risky to an extent, there is a safeness in being able to blame the prompts, but it’s a safeness that works for both sides. His confidence and back-up material keeps things ticking while the unexpected twists and turns keep the audience locked in.
While rolling with the strange punches, Doyle weaves together a heartfelt and fun set, which is impressive given the bizarre nature of the audience’s offerings (some of which may not be safe to publish in this review). A candid – if slightly shoehorned – ending leaves everyone on a buzzing high. This show is as much about what the crowd put in as what they get back. If you pick the right night, you might find yourself an unpredictable gem.
Kevin James Doyle: Wild Card, Just the Tonic at The Caves, until 24 Aug (not 12), 6.25pm