Lewis Shaffer Is Free Until Famous, £5, Just The Tonic at the Community Project, Edinburgh Fringe 2015

Lewis Shaffer is something of a legend in the comedy world, dividing audiences between those who see quirky humour and promise in what he does and those who find him embarrassingly unfunny.

An hour with Shaffer is certainly an unforgettable experience. Mine started with him quickly identifying me as a reviewer as I picked up my complimentary ticket at the door of the Community Project. He demanded to know if I intended to write a favourable review of his performance. I replied: "It's customary to watch the show before deciding", to his evident dissatisfaction.

Inside the venue, Shaffer chose to illuminate his 17-strong audience in bright light, leaving them with nowhere to hide. He started strongly with some sharp lines but quickly strayed into dodgy territory when he claimed his former girlfriend, and love of his life, had had a cock, a situation which had eventually led to him leaving her! "Was this the right decision?" the besuited, grey-haired middle-aged American repeatedly demanded of his audience.

From this juncture, as an audience member you felt you were on the rack as Shaffer continuously harangued you for your views and advice on this absurd fictional scenario.

As he wandered through the punters, getting too close and stroking heads, it seemed people were laughing more out of nervousness than mirth.

Although there were some good lines and funny banter, this part of the show dragged on far too long and started to feel a little exploitative. 

Shaffer seems strangely innocent, with apparently no idea of where boundaries of taste or behaviour lie or what is inappropriate. In the second row were three gay men, on whom Shaffer focused a lot of attention.

One of them commented afterwards that they, not Lewis Shaffer, had been the afternoon's entertainment. A trifle harsh, perhaps, although Shaffer's act was dangerously thin and reliant on a presumed trust he had failed to build with his audience.

Nevertheless, an hour with Lewis Shaffer is an utterly unforgettable experience.

***  

Ollie Wilson, MatchFit Media