2011 Edinburgh Fringe
Andrew Bird review
"There is a chance of this being a bit shambolic", Andrew Bird says cautiously, what with his first-born baby Bird having entered the world the very day of this review. The audience took this jokily but I think Bird really meant that the show might be under-par. In fact he was generous enough to offer a refund should it go wrong, which was very admirable but also unnecessary. Shambolic was far from the truth.
The main thrust of Village Fete is of Bird's move from village to city life and back again. During the hour you learn how a vicar manages to crowbar religion into politics within a couple of sentences, the cause for the charity gig Bird performed for, and why children should have a newspaper column.
One routine touched upon something every Festival-goer hates but can truly relate to: Tourists blocking the pavement whilst taking photos, without a care for the huge build up of people around them. While this is observation of the simplest kind, the anger Bird portrays when talking about the topic is so realistic and relevant that it becomes a very strong and likable set piece and a confident way to start the gig.
A number of the jokes concerned his heavily pregnant wife. Or at least that would have been the case had the gig been earlier in the day. These gags are now, as he fairly pointed out, "redundant" but "sod it, I'm still using them." If they get laughs, it is indeed a waste to ditch them.
One of his final routines involving the (not so trusty) video recorder was something particularly special. For people who can at least remember having a video recorder, this will be an annoying but painfully funny memory. I could have listened to this section again and it would make me laugh just as much. Every point was something relatable: from setting the timer, getting your parents to record something when you were out, rewinding the tape, and the last resort "blow of optimism."
Admittedly Bird did get occasionally side-tracked and lost his rhythm but it does seem unfair criticism considering the news he has just had. Even then, he brings the audience in on this little hiccup and works it back into his favour. I don't believe he lost the crowd for a second. A funny man to be in the company of, and well worth your time.
Andrew Bird's Village Fete listing