Edinburgh Fringe 2024 review: Joe Kent-Walters

Spoof of old-school entertainment

by Veronica LeeSaturday, 24 August 2024

Joe Kent-Walters' late-night show has a devilish twistGreg MacVean

Joe Kent-Walters has been given the DLT Entertainment Best Newcomer Award in the 2024 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, and deservedly so, for Joe Kent-Walters is Frankie Monroe: LIVE!!!! The show is a blast.

It's set in a working men's club in Rotherham which has seen better days, as has its MC, Frankie Monroe. (This device is much helped by the show being performed late at night in an overheated, low-ceilinged basement room at Monkey Barrel.)

What we soon come to realise is the weird-looking Frankie, who for some (unexplained) reason appears throughout with his face covered in Sudocrem, has long ago made a deal with the Devil, who has now come for payment; the club's future is in doubt.

Before that can happen though, the gravel-voiced Frankie gives us one last performance, and Kent-Walters expertly spoofs old-fashioned variety with gags, songs, puppetry, magic and audience participation. It's all done delightfully badly – but affectionately – and given a knowing twist by Kent-Walters.

Spoofing old-school entertainers is not an original idea at the Fringe – there are shades of Johnny Vegas, the League of Gentlemen and others here - but Kent-Walters breathes new life into it, expertly pitching his show somewhere between lampoon and homage. It's utterly daft and great fun.

Frankie has long ago made a deal with the Devil

rating

Editor Rating:

Average: 4 (1 vote)

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Comedy

Help to give theartsdesk a future! Support our GoFundMe appeal

Ricky Gervais, Touring review - new show, not-so new gags Set relies on established tropes

Kemah Bob, Soho Theatre review - Thailand, massage and mental health Texan's full-length debut is a personal story

Natalie Palamides: Weer, Soho Theatre review - a romcom of two halves Comic plays male and female roles simultaneously

Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Brighton Dome review - a foster carer's tale Comic skilfully melds a personal story with sharp social commentary

Rose Matafeo, Arcola Theatre review - Starstruck star muses on love Kiwi comic on dating, phone apps and Taylor Swift

Ellen DeGeneres, Netflix Special review - no mea culpa and few jokes Former chatshow host’s bizarre take on cancellation

Joe Rogan, Netflix Special review - US podcaster leaves the controversy - and the jokes - at home Nothing edgy about this hour

Zoë Coombs Marr, Soho Theatre review - stock checks and spreadsheets Australian comic's autobiographical show

Adam Sandler, Netflix Special - songs, silliness and deconstructing stand-up The comic and director Josh Sadie have fun with the form

Blu-ray: Laurel and Hardy - The Silent Years Always watchable, occasionally hysterical collection of silent shorts

Edinburgh Fringe 2024 review: Joe Kent-Walters Spoof of old-school entertainment

Follow @theartsdesk