2010 Edinburgh Fringe

Edinburgh Interview: John-Luke Roberts

John-Luke Roberts talks about writing for the BBC at university, getting inspired by Simon Munnery as a teenager and his new murderous comedy show.

A brief history of comedy's greatest serial killers

John-Luke Roberts talks about some of the people he talks about in his show.

Operating in a post-Lee & Herring, post-Josie Long tradition of super-intelligent but whimsical comedy, the debut solo show from John-Luke Roberts can't be faulted for ambition. Where many new stand-ups opt for little more than a pugnacious hour of their best material from the circuit when making their fringe bow, Roberts has added a certain touch of theatricality and conceptual thinking. The murder in the title occurs midway through the show and the main tactic Roberts uses as a means of distraction is his fantastically ornate but deeply silly brand of comedy, dripping with absurd puns and utterly unexpected left turns. Watch out for a section which gently mocks the cliche of aggressive stand-up banter, as Roberts very carefully insults members of the crowd with some pre-arranged abuse. And watch out for the murder; you might miss it.