Hundreds of fans of the unique force that is Gyles Brandreth head into a theatre that’s one of the largest venues in the Fringe. Already a majority of the shows in his 25-day run has sold out. Given all the competition there is around the city, that’s impressive. Certainly the pre-teatime slot of 4pm suits his audience perfectly.
Part exploration of memory, part sentimental nostalgia fest – and name-dropping, tale-telling opportunity – Up Memory Lane sees Gyles playing a version of himself that veers between naughty schoolboy and elder statesman. He swears a bit, makes some puerile jokes, pretends not to be up to speed with political correctness. This fools no-one; his audience knows he’s actually a thoughtful and sophisticated observer of changing cultural times and mores.
Hilariously, he shares details of the adverts for ageing and death-related products he’s frequently being offered. He waxes lyrical about his chats with theatrical greats and the late queen. This is more like the Gyles we know; his audience laps it up.
Keeping him on the straight and narrow is his friend and podcast producer Harriet Jaine who comes out from the backstage shadows to shine as a singer, storyteller and collaborator with the only British broadcaster capable of carrying off a pink sweater and slacks combo. They have a bit of a song and dance together and it’s all very sweet.
In an inspired sequence, Harriet throws a beachball into the audience and whoever catches it chooses a letter of the alphabet. Gyles then has to tell an anecdote about a famous person whose name begins with that letter. In each case he recounts an episode from his life, outlining when and where he met the celebrity, and ends the story with a decent punchline. It’s quite the party trick and this show is nothing if not a party.
The show is also an appreciation of childhood. Whether memories are happy or sad, Gyles reminds us, your childhood is formative and it stays with you. Rather gloriously he reflects on being brought to the Edinburgh Festival exactly 70 years ago and watching Sir Donald Wolfit and his company performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream. That made a big impression on the young Brandreth and you wonder how surprised he might have been to know that he would one day become a formidable Edinburgh star in his own right.
Runs until 30 August 2026| Image: Contributed
1 Comment
Thoroughly enjoyed Gyles’ first 15 minute SOLO performance. The rest of the show really wasn’t enhanced by that young lady. Unfortunately, won’t return next year unless it’s Gyles, and only Gyles.