A typically mixed bag of British heroes are celebrated on Fringe stages this year: Jane Austen. Sir Elton John. Former Scotland defender David Narey. And Eric Rushton’s mum, who – he admits – deserves far more praise than she gets for bringing up eight kids in an unsuitable house, on a budget; so much so that one of them has now written a show about it.
The unlikely prop for this, stage right, is a dartboard, and its stand, both presents from mum to Eric relatively recently. Which he’s slightly baffled about, as she – despite the restrictions – was always a remarkable present-giver, conjuring consoles almost from thin air. Why a dartboard? It eventually makes sense.
The show really gets going when Rushton reaches further into that family background, and his own journey from susceptible kid to ambitious standup. And that’s a relief, as after a promising start the crowdwork rather fizzles with this hot, slightly truculent audience. There are some nice gags, some pretty awful puns, and things drift until Rushton drills down into those family dynamics, how they’ve shaped his life, and still pull him back from the brink.
There’s only one real star of this show, even if Eric still only rings her once a month. Mum, once again, saves the day.
Eric Rushton: Could Well Be In, Monkey Barrel Comedy, until 30 Aug (not 19), 2.55pm