DECRYING the “slow death of the Fringe” days before performing at one of the Festival’s most renowned venues may sound a tad counter-intuitive – but this is Stewart Lee: sultan of satire, comedy idealist and an icon for those of an anti-populist bent.
And at £15 a ticket Lee’s Carpet Remnant World at the revamped Assembly Rooms on George Street is arguably the bargain of the Fringe.
For your money you enjoy 75 minutes of thought-provoking satirical comedy ?bereft of cheap gags and predictable set-ups that touch on well-trodden themes like Islamophobia, high street homogenisation and the awkward existence of an ageing stand-up but with an irony and wisdom that can leave the uninitiated waiting for a punchline that just never comes.
Lee’s greatest talent is camoflaguing brilliant – yet often surreal – observations in a throwaway line or a subtle call-back from earlier in the set.
With 25 Fringe appearances under his belt, he is a veteran and well qualifed to comment on its evolution but he is no relic. His style is up-to-the-minute fresh and despite his niche appeal, easily commands the larger venue in which he now finds himself.
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Al Murray, Comedian
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Brighton Argus
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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John Robins, Comedian
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Idrie, Youtube
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Stuart, Chortle
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk