This Review is from August 2026

I’ve been a fan of Phil Nichol’s for ages. This is the twentieth anniversary of a show that I recall really enjoying back in 2016. I wasn’t the only one. It went on to win that year’s Edinburgh Comedy award.

It’s the story of a trip to Amsterdam that goes badly wrong. Told at one hundred miles an hour, it’s a very funny unlikely farce that, because Phil Nichol is telling it, rings true.

Phil’s shows tend to feature tales of improbable adventures which lead to some sort of fresh insight. Maybe, because of _____ if we were all a little more _____ and were able to do ____ and think like _____ we’d all be happier. Unfortunately, tonight’s epiphany is ten years old and no longer good. The blanks have been updated. Things have simply moved on.

I’m not going to give anything away. This is still a funny show. Sadly, the last few minutes, which felt brave in 2016, look creepy now.

Martin Walker