EDINBURGH 2015 - BWW Reviews: STEVE BUGEJA DAY RELEASE, Mash House, August 19 2015

Steve Bugeja opens his performance with ten facts about himself. I was on board with this show early on as he proclaimed he has seen the musical Hairspray more times than he has been clubbing. I think the point he is trying to make (although I disagree strongly) is that he is somewhat "uncool". His reluctance to do things that scare him makes his following story all the more surprising.

Day release is essentially the story of an incident that happened to Bugeja last year. His childhood friend (who he is clearly in love with) asked him to do her a favour before her wedding and he blindly agreed. The favour was to pick up her father and drive the three hours it would take them to get to the wedding. Unfortunately for Steve, her father has been in prison for eighteen years and is on day release. Steve states that he can't actually tell us what he was in prison for, but highlights that you don't get eighteen years for flytipping.

This is a lovely little hour of comedy with a really interesting story behind it. It isn't rolling around on the floor hilarious but it will make you laugh and Bugeja is such a likeable man. I especially enjoyed hearing how he bonded with this man and also how he reacted to the changes that have happened in the eighteen years he has been in prison - his wonder at smartphones and hand dryers.

Ticket information and timings can be found on the edfringe website.