We had no idea what this show was going to be when it first appeared on the listings and we had no idea what either of the named acts were like on stage… And yet, as soon as I saw the show, I booked the tickets. Why? Simple, Big Boys.

I’m sure Jack Rooke is almost bored of hearing how much people loved Big Boys, but tough, we’re adding our names to that list. Big Boys is the TV show written by Rooke and starring Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls) and Jon Pointing (Plebs). The show explores a semi-fictionalised version of Rookes time at University and deserves it’s place alongside Mae Martin’s Feel Good as one of the best TV shows in recent memory.

It’s a whirlwind drama with some fantastic performances, none more so than that of Pointing who delivers a dramatic tour de force that shows a range we could not have predicted following his highly enjoyable ‘jack-the-lad’ role of Jason in Plebs.

So, to cut a short story long, that is why we are here… And it proved to be a fantastic decision.

The Cabaret Bar is easily one of the most iconic venues at the Fringe and tonight it is packed to the rafters. Rooke opens the show and, for the most part, MCs the evening. He has a confident and free-flowing style that sets the tone and gets the audience ready to go.

This show will be different every night but this evenings bill featured delightful “Character Comic Phil Dunning” alongside Figs in Wigs, who delivered one of the greatest interpretations of Elton John’s “I’m still standing” that I could ever imagine.

Sandwiched between these two was Pointing, who delivered a clever and engaging character clown performance that displayed another colourful string to his bow. When he first stepped up to the mic it seemed like he’d miss read the room but as soon we clicked what he was doing the audience quickly got on board and the laughter flowed.

This leads us to our headliner for the evening, the enigmatic Jayde Adams (whose very lovely mum we found ourselves sat next to), If this really is the last time that she’ll perform her Adele act then it truly is a loss for the Fringe. What a voice!

We had no idea what to expect from tonight but what we ended up with was one of the most enjoyable late night shows in all of our years at the Fringe. This is a limited run gig but if you can get tickets then we can’t recommend doing so highly enough.

Clown Stars: * * * * *

@The Pleasance, Edinburgh