When I look back through some of my favourite childhood characters there are some definite traits that stand out – the sarcasm of ALF, the cynicism of Daffy Duck, the sheer abuse handed out by Baby dinosaur… And then at the very top of that tree, the perfect storm of all of those things – Basil Brush!

His humour was on two levels long before Pixar mastered it and whilst his co-stars came and went Basil powered on through and somehow managed to resonate with each new generation without massively changing his act.

The show starts with the introduction of Basil’s latest… co-host? “No”, Co-star? “Definitely not”, Sidekick? “Nailed it”… Martin Cabble-Reid. An instantly likeable actor who will play Costello to Basil’s Abbott for the next hour…

Martin: “the problem is chunky-ness runs in my family”

Basil: “The problem is that no-one runs in your family”

Basil is then introduced to the beat of an Outhere Brothers track and as Basil started to sing along I couldn’t help but think, ‘I know this is the unleashed show but this could be a step too far’! Fortunately the lyrics had been rewritten and it proved to be a great way to get the atmosphere going and introduce our clown’s classic “Boom-Boom” catch phrase.

The banter is quick-fire, playful, knowing and, at times, risqué but above all else it’s great fun to watch. The format of tonight’s gig is that of a late-night chat-show and by about halfway in I would implore any TV exec reading to seriously consider replacing current hosts Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton or James Cordon with Basil Brush.

The guests come in the form of newer Fringe performers (in tonight’s case memory man Tom Crosbie) and a ‘live’ video link-up with Hugh Bonneville.

There are great patter songs, seamless banter, audience members up on stage and at one point even a Super Soaker full of Malibu. All of that then rounded off with a coup de grace that Elton John would have to be flattered by.

This is not hard-hitting political comedy that is looking to change the way we think, this is Basil Brush playing to a sold-out crowd and straight up killing it.

Clown Stars: * * * * *

 @Underbelly – Edinburgh