It was the last day of the Edinburgh Fringe – and I do mean the actual last day that was stated in the programme and not the “last day” that 80% of acts decided to make the last day, which was in fact the penultimate day! – venues were packing up and staff were running down the remaining drinks… The barrels were no longer being changed and the bars were dry! These were desperate times and desperate times called for desperate measures.

We needed a sheriff, someone to return order to the fringe and remind this town that we were here for comedy! As if summoned by the clown gods themselves a tall stranger appeared through the second archway of the Pleasance. In place of a horse he had a bright yellow shirt, and instead of a gleaming sheriffs badge he sported a bright truckers cap. Tom Parry had entered the building… Hallelujah!

Now, I realise that this introduction is a tad over the top but that is only appropriate for a clown who pushes every show, and every scenario within every show, to 11!

I first saw Tom as part of Pappy’s Fun Club, they had just been shortlisted for an Edinburgh Comedy Award and were playing an extra show at the Pleasance. He always stood out as the member of the crew most willing to do anything to get that laugh. Pappy’s was always a true team performance, and those guys are the troupe that I currently measure all sketch groups against, but you couldn’t ever really forget Tom.

As I mentioned earlier the Pleasance was dead. It was going to take a Herculean effort to even build a crowd, let alone create an atmosphere. This is where our clown uttered those fateful words… Hold. My. Pint.

Tom had sold out, his was the only real queue in the Pleasance on this day and he was fighting fit and ready to go. He bursts on stage and the madness begins with our first karaoke track – Scatman John. These bursts of tongue twisting forgotten 90s classics would be a recurring theme throughout the show and almost instantly the whole room seemed on board.

Our Clown was here to sing, dance, joke and, most importantly, go tops off. He talked about best man wedding speeches, music festivals and the importance of having a ‘go-to’ karaoke banger always ready. It sounds like simple stuff but this was one of the most entertaining shows of our 2019 Fringe.

Tom set the time circuits, powered up the flux capacitor and hit 88mph (This show is set in the 90’s) and we the audience went right along with him.

Over the last few years I have missed the Pappy’s live shows at the Fringe and whilst I do hope they come back I will be more than happy being a part of Parry’s Fun Club until they do.

At the end of the show Tom was showered with ties (long story) and as they rained down he stood proudly and embraced the moment. He then left through the side door and as it swung we saw him punch the air and scream. He was quite rightly buzzing and so were we. We had planned to try and find one last show to see but already knew that nothing would top what we just saw.

So we grabbed drinks, went to a karaoke bar and sang all three versions of Power of Love. Yes Please!

Clown Stars: * * * * *

@The Pleasance, Edinburgh