www.one4review.com - 7th August 2007

If there was an award for the strangest show on the Fringe this year then one of the contenders would have to be this one.

The concept is very simple, Fringe celebrities are invited to read from the telephone book and that is almost it. A brief Q & A session precedes the main event and having done their stuff are invited to sign the directory and auction it for charity.

Simple you might say. Strange even, but it works. The level of attendance proves there is a market for this, and the calibre of guests is certainly A list. The show I saw featured the legendry Norman Lovett, but of course it'll change daily.

So for something very different why not check this out and become part of the cult.

The National Student Magazine - 8th August 2007 ****

This is one of those ‘only at the Fringe’ type shows, so peculiarly unique that in another circumstance would seem entirely bizarre and perhaps a little audacious. The conceit is that each day a star of the Fringe is called upon to perform that unenviable script… The Phone Book… erm… Live. Why the chuff am I trying to explain something that so clearly does what it says on the tin!?!

There is a little more than that however, a little repartee between the host and the day’s guest that I won’t spoil by divulging, as part of its joy is in the discovery. What’s more, this show is performed for ‘charidee’, which is a beautiful beautiful thing.

On this occasion, the first of the run, American musician/comic Reggie Watts (or as I like to call him – having taken a quick fact-checking trip to Wikipedia – Reginald Lucien Frank Roger Watts) took to the stage and read excerpts from the R section of that great reference tome. Passing through dramatic verve and funky vocalism he swiftly explored all that his text had to offer, much to the giggly delight of the small assembled crowd.

This is a show that could so easily be dull in the wrong hands, and as each night features a different performer, it could so easily be hit and miss. I guess that is the chance you have to take – but I wouldn’t consider attending to be a risky decision, you are unlikely to be wracked with regret after quenching your curiosity.

If you can check this out… then sincerely, I say to you… do.
And there is little else for me to say on the matter other than… Reggie Watts… erm… HAIR…!! Wowser!!

Oh and don’t forget your purse if you fancy owning a celebrity signed phone book!!

Check out the socks on youtube.