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	Pleasance Courtyard (venue website) Comedy 1-12, 14-16, 19, 22-23, 31 Aug, 8:00pm-9:00pm; 17-18, 20-21, 24-25 Aug, 8:00pm-9:00pm, 10:30pm-11:30pm; 26 Aug, 10:30pm-11:30pm Reviewed by Anne Stirling
Recommended for age 16+ only.  Recommended for age 14+ only.

Terry Alderton's absurd brand of humour starts before he even sets a glitter-shod foot on the stage. He speaks to us from behind the black curtain for the stand-up comic's tradition of self-introduction, and highlights the elephant in the room: an awkwardly situated column in the centre of the audience. Once he launches onto the stage, already beaded with sweat on his bald head and piercing eyes accentuated with heavy eyeliner, we are in his grasp. What follows is a hyperactive hour of hilarity, well worth the gamble if you have not experienced Alderton before, and a delightful addition to his repertoire if you have.

Alderton combines impressive vocal gymnastics and energetic physicality to bring his observational comedy to life. He parodies multifarious things throughout, from Channel 4 documentaries to beatboxing. He fantasizes about what he would do should he win the lottery, with amusing conclusions. He woos an unsuspecting member of his audience. The accumulation of all these facets makes for a random but well-executed show, which had some fans howling with laughter from the back row.

Alderton's conversations with his demonic and demeaning 'inner voice' (which took place upstage with his back to the audience) were a real highlight. He used this character to dissect his jokes and reveal a comical self-awareness that his thoughts might only be funny in his own head. This refreshing take on self-deprecation worked well, and his audience lapped it up. Another stand-out routine personified his glitter-embossed sneakers, exhausting all foot related puns and movie titles you can think of.

The only downside to this show was that in all the freneticism of his speech, words were lost - meaning some punch-lines may have been missed.

Terry Alderton has funny bones. He is an intense character, and is master of his world of 'so many thoughts', which he is happy to share with his loyal fans - and those random people who take a punt and have no idea what to expect. If you’re in the latter group, I can tell you, you are in for a treat.