It’s been a year of international exposure for Rosco McClelland. Not content with winning the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at GICF 2025, his World Cup redux of the Cheers theme song saw him in the recording booth with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and recognised by Bostonians outside of the stadium. After 12 years on the circuit, it’s a long overdue introduction for many to the ex-plumber’s easy confidence and gift for the perfect turn of phrase.
However it’s an at-times uncharacteristically self-conscious affair this evening, with McClelland hesitant to go full-whack amidst a room that is on his side but nevertheless making it clear when certain routines need a tune-up. His new show,The Bones, strikes a nice balance between a self-introduction for the newcomers and an evolution of his club sets that are so revered around town, even if it does occasionally go for the easy laugh that relies on a national stereotype. A story of dog-urine collection is a highlight, as are a couple of gags that could easily make a ‘best jokes of the Fringe’ roundup if those lists didn’t tend to keep it so PG.
A third-act foray into his Tourette Syndrome brings welcome pathos to the show, which could benefit from having it brought in at the beginning to bookend the tangents and provide a timely hook, given the recent I Swear controversy that he himself brings up. He’s certainly got lots of current issues on his mind, AI data centres being another, but he’s the first to admit those are among the bits still looking for a punchline.
Rosco McClelland: The Bones, Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire), until 30 Aug, 8.05pm