EDINBURGH 2013 - BWW Reviews: JOHN LLOYD: LIFF OF QI, Underbelly, August 10 2013

Despite having never passed a BBC recruitment board in his life, John Lloyd has none-the-less been responsible for some of the greatest TV and Radio comedies broadcast in the UK over the last 40 years. From JUST A MINUTE to QI, via BLACKADDER, SPITTING IMAGE and of course NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS - Lloyd uses his fringe debut to share the stories behind these great shows, as he details his life in broadcasting.

Behind the protection of a small lectern, this behind-the-scenes man has some great tales to tell. This broadly chronological memoir is peppered throughout with facts, jokes and a good line in letters in complaint - a badge of honour for many of his shows. The show also reveals how some of these great shows were born, particularly his most recent hit QI, which owes a lot of thanks to an inquisitive child with a good sense of the profound.

Lloyd certainly appears to be enjoying the moment, and shows what fun it would be to share gossip with him over a large glass of red wine. We get impressions - everyone from Leon Brittan to Clement Freud - as well as reminders of some of the greatest lines and stars in comedy. And of course, we finally find out the true meaning of words such as Letchworth, Ealing and Grimsby, all made famous in his dictionary - The Meaning of Liff - co-written with the much missed Douglas Adams, friend and creator of THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY.

Whilst it's clear that Lloyd is probably far more used to being behind-the-scenes than many of his colleagues and contemporaries - he can sometimes come across a little nervous - there's plenty here for fans of Lloyd's many shows to enjoy. And it's worth the ticket price alone for the one about Mel Smith, South Koreans and a garden vegetable.

"JOHN LLOYD: LIFF OF QI" runs until August 24th (not 13th) at 1640 at the Underbelly

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