Festival Fringe Reviews
- Doug Stanhope - Velvet Laughter

Velvet Laughter

Doug Stanhope Doug Stanhope is an acclaimed American comedian. He is about to star in his own US Network show on Fox TV. He's been working his way up the comedy ladder for 12 years now, but he is unknown in the United Kingdom, until now. Direct from Los Angeles, he made his British debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in a short run of just six performances at the Tron but within a day or so, the word of mouth marketing machine was doing its business.

"American comedian Doug Stanhope is a genuine phenomenon" said the Evening News giving him a 5 star review which added an extra date to his Festival performances. Another 5 star review in the Scotsman and the media were queuing up to interview him.

So how to describe his style of humour? Outrageous, opinionated, fresh, brash and bold. Some people may be shocked by his language but Stanhope voice's the views of 21st century western society, questioning everything that we are ourselves afraid to ask.

He talks about September 11th and the role of the "heroic" fireman, the use of alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine. "Who here takes drugs?" he questions the audience to stunned silence. He criticises many typical characteristics of his fellow American people, the obese, President Bush, politics and religion.

In the tiny basement bar of the wonderfully atmospheric Tron pub, a true intimate Fringe venue, just off the High Street, a packed enthusiastic audience are genuinely laughing - perhaps for different personal reasons, embarrassment, guilt, empathy but with an underlying acceptance that he is speaking the truth about life today.

"Without a doubt one of the most happening comedians in the US today"
"What he remembers he reports back to us. He's been known to bear his soul right there on stage. If you're easily offended stay home"
The Austin Chronicle.

Back home in the United States the critics know of his unique blend of fast talking banter and an astute ability to capture the essence of what lies behind the news headlines. The facts and beliefs which no journalist or TV presenter would dare to explore in public. Stanhope is direct, provoking and undeniably honest in saying what he believes, and thereby confronting the universal, conservative, politically correct approach to views on life and society today.

Check out his website - www.dougstanhope.com.

Next page > Piano & Forte - Olli Hauernstein > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

Or return to Index of Reviews.


Where else would you like to go in Scotland?








Separator line