Chris Turner’s Childish at the Edinburgh Fringe combines stand-up comedy and freestyle rap, showcasing his improvisational skills. Performing at Underbelly Cowgate, Turner demonstrates his talent for creating rapid-fire rap verses from audience suggestions. His ability to craft clever and funny raps from random inputs is impressive and keeps the audience laughing throughout.
The show uses multimedia elements, a live band and personal photos and videos, adding a nice touch to the performance. Turner shares stories about his supportive parents, meeting his accomplished wife, and moving to America with their daughter. While these personal stories are sometimes relatable and endearing, they occasionally feel like bragging. Mentioning his wife’s Wikipedia page and joking about not knowing UK restaurants because he “lives in the U.S now” came across a bit tone-deaf.
In terms of comedy, Turner’s stand-up bits don’t always match the energy and creativity of his raps. The transitions between talking and songs can feel abrupt, and the show could benefit from a more cohesive narrative. However, his charm and likability shine through, and his reflections on family life provide some genuine moments.
Fans of Chris Turner will probably enjoy this show, but it may not win over many new ones. Overall, Chris Turner: Childish is an engaging evening that showcases Turner’s distinct abilities. While there is room for development, his freestyle rap talents and quick wit make the performance enjoyable for fans of witty and improv comedy.
Runs Aug 9-11, 13-18, 20-25 | Image: Contributed