The casual manner in which Bruce Fummey steps out to introduce his set at Fringe World 2016 seems almost ‘anti-standup comedy’. A History of Scotland builds on his 2014 appearance at Perth’s Fringe World, and presents a condensed version of Scottish wars, drink and daggers.
An audience of 75 people is crowded into a small, eventually too warm tent. Fummey’s only prop is an ironic t-shirt, leaving him with just his wit to win the audience – and it does. He tells us he is from Perth, Scotland, and he’s performing in Perth, Australia making hilarious quips about cultural dislocation in a strong Scottish accent.
His background in teaching certainly come through in the ream of facts about Scotland. Contemporary Scottish politics with Salmon and Sturgeon fish jokes (both key players) abound. His central idea that Scotland has always been divided and not just thanks to the Scottish National Party lends a clear structure to the performance.
The body count in Scottish history is never-ending and his riffs on families and ‘mudder’ is highly entertaining. The good-humoured disdain for the English is ever present, with English audience members joining in on the laughs at his anti-English Scots persona. Though it must be said, some of his more clichéd audience interaction jokes (you know – NZ and the sheep, women and Brazil) tamper the show. Off the cuff comments about missing his notes and trying out new jokes are perfectly acceptable in a fringe environment, but don’t necessarily bring his show up to the superlative level.
Fummey’s riff about the Sky Channel and history shows being ‘plus one’ illustrated his intellectual engagement with the idea of what makes history historical. Sky Channel apparently broadcast history shows one hour later after the initial viewing which makes them even more historical. He is also thought provoke in how he makes the point that history is not just written by the victors, but by those who can actually write. Somehow things written down have much more credibility for us than oral history or conversation as he enthusiastically narrates.
Bruce Fummey is both a proud history nerd and Scottish nationalist and passionately presents this show emphasising both. His energy in covering key moments such as the Jacobite rising, Mary Queen of Scots, Robbie Burns and the engine driving Scottish Age of Enlightenment that conquered the world are warmly engaging. His statement that Scots are not only thirsty for knowledge, but thirsty for blood and thirsty for money really resonated. Skilfully ad-libbing to the end, this wonderful storyteller keeps us intrigued and laughing in our seats – check him out.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
A History of Scotland
Written and Performed by Bruce Fummey
DeLuxe at Perth Cultural Centre at FringeWorld 2016, Perth at 8.30pm. 18th – 21st February 2016.
