Milo Edwards has endured a remarkably grim Fringe career, losing parents at two of them, 2019 and 2022, with a show about his dad’s death in between. It’s a wonder he returns at all, but let’s be thankful: 2026 could turn out to be a triumph.
This is a truly sensational hour of standup, so much goodness packed in, the major hook being a candid look at his parents’ love life. Still processing their departures, living in their old house, he reconnects by reading a box of their often-lurid letters. That leads Edwards on a memorable quest to rediscover the other characters involved, notably one charismatic, catamaran-boasting business partner. His calls to surviving acquaintances are hilarious, while offering further home truths.
And there’s lots more besides. Milo bonded with his mum during Covid, mourning dad by binge-listening to Radio 2, particularly the midday misery king Jeremy Vine. That takes us on a fabulous detour about Jeremy versus jauntier colleagues, splenetic callers, Edwards’ unhappy TV history and a thorough synopsis of US anti-communist interventions in Southeast Asia. This sumptuous feast is garnished with some spot-on voices – a very fine Vine – while a huge late revelation almost slips by in the previous laugh trail.
It’s magnificent. Milo Edwards has come of age; comedically, at least.
Milo Edwards: Catamaran, Monkey Barrel Comedy (O’Neill’s, The Tron), until 30 Aug (not 21-23), 5.15pm