Alex Prescot: Cosy - Dexter Underbelly Bristo Square - Edinburgh Fringe Review

With an introduction along the lines of ‘I’m known for having a big smile’, Alex Prescot instantly creates a warm and welcoming environment in his new one-man show ‘Cosy’, playing at Dexter Underbelly Bristo Square.

In a combination of storytelling and brilliantly improvised songs, Prescot showcases not only his musical skills and improv talents but also his natural friendly flair and style as he effortlessly talks to audience members and rewards good and funny responses with fluffy cushions.

Throughout the performance, we learn how Prescot used to be part of a double act, but his partner left him and moved to Australia; cue a lot of funny observational comments about Australia and how much he misses his partner. But, there is really no cause for concern as he shines as a soloist creating songs in seconds about a range of different things, from hairdressers and best friends to a telling off someone for misbehaving, rather naughtily to the delight of the child in the audience (at the performance I attended).

The ability to improvise songs at the drop of a hat should really be praised, and Prescot makes it look incredibly easy with each song earning laughter and elated applause. He is incredibly quick and clever, with comments between himself and the audience coming think and fast as if bantering with a friend, with it all feeling very natural.

Following his one man show last year, it is wonderfully to have Prescot back, in a much deserved bigger space after he sold out and absolutely crammed full a converted Karaoke room last season.

With stories about his time in theatre classes, references to the Mamas and Papas and lots of audience interaction combined with the wonderfully clever and funny musical numbers, Prescot has created a show that perfectly matches its title. It’s cosy. It’s warm and fluffy, funny and silly. It welcomes everyone in like a hug and is sure to put a smile on even the grumpiest of faces. But will that smile be as big as Alex Prescot’s?

‘Alex Prescot: Cosy’ runs at Dexter Underbelly Bristo Square at 11.45am until August 25^th, and you can also see him in the cast of A Jaffa Cake Musical, running at the Fourth Pleasance Courtyard at 14.00.