Alex Prescot: I’ve Got A Song About That

Edinburgh Fringe – City Cafe

They say the early bird gets the worm, and the worm in this case is Alex Prescot’s I’ve Got a Song About That, an absolutely delightful, light stand-up show full of music, laughter and good times where he proves that he absolutely does have a song about just about anything. 

It’s a small room, and the coziness of the space really adds to the repertoir that we build with Prescot during this time. We share a moment in that room, because we’re very aware that no two shows are the same, as much as it’s Prescot’s time to shine – which he does – the hour is also party built by those in that room. It’s the only show where audience participation consistently works well and contributes to the show more than it detracts, which is due to Prescot’s easy-going and friendly manner that encourages us to engage in the show to the point where there examples of audience manners singing along voluntarily. The atmosphere that is created feels what the first Woodstock must have been like.

“Only a great time can be had with Alex Prescot and his piano. “

Prescot constantly shows us not only how adept he is as a musician and a comedian, but also in grabbing onto an idea and building upon it for all that it’s worth. His ability to improvise both a melody and lyrics based on short conversations with audience members becomes a goldmine for comedic potential. Each song is a nonsensical musical vignette, already starting in a ridiculous place but taken to the furthest point of whatever lies beyond silliness and absurdity. 

In between the songs, Prescot takes us through some albums and makes jokes about them. This is perhaps the weakest part of the show, and really we’re just waiting for him to treat us to more songs. It’s not that it isn’t funny – it is – but it’s just not as funny as everything up to that point. Whilst Prescot uses observationist techniques throughout the show, they’re more subtle in just tapping into a subject and crafting a joke from a kind of universal, anecdotal experience. The album comedy in comparison is very surface level to his original songs. Whilst we trust that there’s a reason for this kind of structure, the show doesn’t really need it.  

 This is a highly recommended show and a wonderful way to start the morning. Practically guaranteed to put you in a good mood for the rest of the day. It’s the comedy equivalent to sunshine. Only a great time can be had with Alex Prescot and his piano.

By Katerina Partolina Schwartz

Photo Credit: Rebecca Need-Menear