Description
What would you do if everyone in the world hated you?
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Would you run?
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Would you fight?
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Or would you try to make them laugh?
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Donald Robertson has no mates and he isn't funny. But with guidance from his new mentor Gary, he hopes that this is all about to change. Donald Robertson Is Not A Stand Up Comedian
While learning about stand-up comedy, Gary met a boy called Donald. This is Donald's story.
About the Author
Gary McNair is a playwright, director and performer based in Glasgow.
His aim is to make work that will entertain and challenge audiences in equal measures.
After graduating with first class honours in Contemporary Theatre Practice from the RSAMD (now RCS) in 2007, he has produced work with and for many of Scotland's major theatre companies, and his work has been translated into several languages and performed around the world.
His most recent work includes A Gambler's Guide to Dying, which enjoyed a successful run at the Traverse Theatre during the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The show received huge critical acclaim, was the recipient of a Fringe First and the Holden Street Theatre awards, and was featured in the BBC's best solo shows of the Fringe. It went on international tour in Australia in February 2016.
Of Donald Robertson Is Not A Stand Up Comedian, The Scotsman said "it's difficult to imagine these vital questions about comedy, masculinity, hierarchy and cruelty being handled more skillfully, in such a short span, or with such a sense of self-questioning irony, from a writer and performer who knows his power to make audiences suspend disbelief, and who mistrusts and challenges that power, every inch of the way."
Reviews
It's difficult to imagine vital questions about comedy, masculinity, hierarchy and cruelty being handled more skilfully, in such a short span, or with such a sense of self-questioning irony, from a writer and performer who knows his power to make audiences suspend disbelief. * Four stars - Scotsmen *
A skilled performer and writer that asks some pivotal and vital questions about comedy and growing-up in a timely and entertaining fashion. * Public Reviews *
McNair does not miss a trick timing-wise * Stage *
This play exposes the bitter cruelty of childhood, the pain of isolation and bullying and the harsh reality that in this life it is kill or be killed, and in order to rise up the pecking order you have to send someone else down to take your place - a lovely, honest performance. * FringeReview *
..delightfully deft monologue. * The Times *
Gary McNair...blends theatrical storytelling with standup to excellent effect, and is delivered with a knock-out punchline - Smart and cunningly constructed. * Four stars - Guardian *
It is a fascinating shtick that nods to everything from Trevor Griffiths's exposure of the comedy of hate in Comedians to the relationship between stand-up and live art - a knowing study of one of the Fringe's most popular artforms that has a punchline to die for. * Herald Scotland *
As a blend of jokes and theatre, it works beautifully, and McNair delivers real insight along with the laughs. A gem of a show. * Four stars - Telegraph *
Book Information
ISBN 9781783191680
Author Gary McNair
Format Paperback
Page Count 64
Imprint Oberon Books Ltd
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Series Oberon Modern Plays
