Worst Show On The Fringe, featuring Prince Abdi, Liam Withnail and Alfie Moore, George Next Door, Edinburgh Fringe 2014

By Joe Wilson

The apparent concept of this show is to put on comedians whose Edinburgh Fringe shows have bombed and received just one star in a review. I supposed this was to give them a second chance or let a masochistic audience enjoy the full horror of their terrible comedy.

At the same time, the Fringe programme named Miranda Hart (who, incidentally, I once gave three stars), Russell Howard and Tim Minchin as examples of former one-star performers who had gone on to greatness, dangling the tantalising bait that the show might be surprisingly good.

It was certainly absolutely packed. Promoter/MC Nigel Lowell was carrying in extra chairs, some of which would have a stage view!

The room looked just right for a show of one-stars. The garish yellow paintwork was fading in parts, the black backdrop was affixed to the wall by translucent sticky tape. It looked like one of the worst comedy clubs.

When the show eventually started, compere Nigel did not disappoint.

He kicked off with a terrible undertaker/bicycle gag - poor by anyone's standards - and embarked on some embarrassing audience interaction, quickly mentioning the war to the Germans in the front row and insulting my abundant hair (the baldy coot!)

Nigel Lowell definitely has one-star potential.

The turns he introduced were a totally different cup of tea.

Prince Abdi is an experience and talented professional comedian who has appeared on television and played the Comedy Store and Jongleurs during his career.

I see him as a laid-back comedy natural - the Somalian Micky Flanagan.

The audience absolutely loved his sharp material, great comic timing and smiley nature. I'd give him: ***** - five stars - for his performance.

Liam Withnail had some great material, particularly his square sausage routine and train announcer cigarette packet wrapper performance.

Hilarious. I award him **** (four stars).

Alfie Moore, a former police sergeant from Scunthorpe, has also already made a name for himself, with a show BBC Radio Four show.

He was trying out new material, with script in hand, which is never a good sign for a stand-up.

However, his delivery and timing were excellent and he had some very funny lines such as: "There's no excuse for a shallow grave - just laziness."

Alfie ended with well-practised material about finding the head from a decapitated body beside a canal. It was tearfully funny. So, overall, I give him **** (four stars).

As a whole, there was no way this show was anywhere near the worst on the Fringe.

****