Review: Daniel Sloss, The Pleasance

While still in his teens, Daniel Sloss turned professional, wrote material for Frankie Boyle, was the youngest comedian to perform a solo season in the West End of London and starred in his own BBC show.

* * * *

Impressive enough, but is he funny?

Before the packed venue found out if Sloss could raise a laugh, they were treated to a nice line in nonsense from Kai Humphries.

Here we had gentle humour from a Geordie who delivered his material as though sharing it with his mates down the pub. Endearing and funny, the audience quickly warmed to his unhurried patter.

Then it was the turn of Edinburgh-based Sloss on this, his homecoming gig. And from the very start, his easy charm helped place the audience exactly where he wanted them – in the palm of his hand.

With a genuine twinkle in his eye and a sharp line in observational humour, Sloss dealt with subjects such as Disneyland, Susan Boyle and mumps.

Despite sticking to a well-polished and thoroughly rehearsed script, he gave the impression that he was merely lurching from subject to subject, sharing his thoughts with a bunch of friends.

Even on the occasions that he wanders off script, he is still equally funny, giving the impression of somebody slightly confused by his attempts to enter the adult world. Having left his parental home, socks discarded on the floor remain there, and the fridge doesn’t magically replenish its contents.

The humour is funny, intelligent and charming. As is Sloss.

As though to highlight the danger that this new breed of comic poses to the more established comics on the circuit, Humphries and Sloss invited questions from the audience.

Despite the danger of such a tactic, Sloss demonstrated a genuine affection for the crowd, sharing anecdotes that drew some of the biggest laughs of the evening. There is little doubt we will be seeing a great deal more of this talented performer in the future.