If you are deliberating about whether to go to the Fringe this year watch this documentary and you will definitely decide in the affirmative whether you are a punter or a performer. The ‘spirit of the Fringe’ for better and worse is neatly conjured up in this fly on the wall film of Hannibal Buress appearing there in 2012.
It’s all there, from the streets to the posters to the flyers to the late nights to getting a cab to the wrong venue to Arthur's Seat and of course to the gigs. The film starts with Buress doing a show in America and wondering aloud about his forthcoming trip, but figuring the “boot camp” will make him a better comic.
Once he is there he soon has his doubts. He is not that keen on his flat for a start because the toilet and the sink are in separate rooms (I’m sure I’ve stayed in that flat). And after a while he hits the classic Fringe wall. He wonders why comedians are adding extra gigs when doing just his own hour is hard enough. After being booed off at Late 'n' Live he is lower than ever.
And yet gradually there is clearly a positive side to the experience. Much of this comes from speaking to other comedians. Aussie Sammy J and his puppet give him tips on how to shake up his set and keep things fresh, he goes to see Eddie Pepitone at the Tron. It’s great to see a comic going to other gigs – Buress really does hunt out acts like a true comedy fan.
We also get a few good nuggets about his craft when we see him interviewed onstage by Stewart Goldsmith and it is fun to see his culture clash-yet-meeting of minds with Nicholas Parsons. And his encounter with Trevor Noah is priceless - the future Daily Show superstar says all he wants to do is get better at telling jokes.
What makes this doc even more interesting for British comedy fans is that it is made from an American perspective. Curiously there is no mention of awards even though Buress was an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer in 2011. There is, however, a section on star ratings – Buress goes round sticking seven stars on shows he likes.
As well as the travelogue element, we also get to see plenty of stand-up footage from Hannibal’s gigs at the Pleasance. He is a cool, relaxed presence onstage with a nice line in surprising his audience. The doc, directed by Ryan Ferguson and produced by Judd Apatow, gets right up so close you can almost smell the sweat. It certainly made me nostalgic and I have a heart of stone.
The most amazing thing about this film? There has either been some very clever editing or this must have been the driest, sunniest month in Scotland on record.
Available on Netflix now here.
