Mike Birbiglia, The Old Man and the Pool, Underbelly, Bristo Square, Edinburgh. Friday 25th August, 2023

Seeing Mike Birbiglia live has long been on my bucket list. Going way back, I've loved his long-form storytelling, admiring how a comedian could take his stage stories and craft them into movies. His UK dates thus far have only been in London so I jumped at this opportunity to catch him in Edinburgh. I even paid extra for the Sirloin seats so we could get early entry and better, unreserved seating.

As the venue filled, I said to my wife "I'm surprised it's not a sellout." 

And she said, "Maybe that's because no one's heard of him." 

So I said, "How could no one have heard of him? He's a big name in America."

And she said, "But we're not in America."

So I said, "But his shows have won Broadway awards. He's acted in loads of things on TV and film. He has numerous comedy specials on Netflix." 

And she said, "So maybe he's only famous to comedy nerds."

So I said, "Maybe that comment explains your lack of sense of humour," which she didn't find funny, which kind of proved my point. 

Okay, that exchange did not take place but I could tell that was what she was thinking. 

I've tried to work out why the show was so good.   

Essentially a long-form monologue, he starts the tale in the doctor's office where he's so unfit he can't blow into a machine then takes us on a journey via his medical history, his family and his fears about dying (actual dying, not stage dying) to the aforementioned Pool from the title. Throughout, he is in total control of the narrative, with every word placed for maximum comedic or dramatic effect. His use of callbacks is superb. Despite not having the set he used in New York, the stagecraft is subtle yet profound. The use of the big screen behind him is minimal but impactful. He is the master of the form, finding the sweet spot between comedy and theatre. The surprise ending was a great payoff to a brilliant show. 

If you can't catch him in Edinburgh or London, I urge you to watch any of his Netflix specials. You won't be disappointed.    

Ticket Price £26 (£6 premium for Sirloin seats and early access to venue).

Blurb:

"Chronicling his coming-of-middle-age story Mike asks the big questions: Why are we here? What’s next? What happens when the items at the doctor’s office that you thought were decorative become functional?  This tale of life, death, and a highly chlorinated YMCA pool resonates with audiences ages 12 to 112, and won rave reviews whilst playing to sold-out houses in the US. Now “the best comedy of the year" (The New York Times) promises to charm audiences."