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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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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98rosjon, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Brighton Argus
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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Tin Frog, Twitter