Stewart Lee: Carpet Remnant World

Stewart Lee is indisputably one of the best. There’s just no argument, is there? You might not like him, but that doesn’t change the fact. Should proof be required, please see Carpet Remnant World. A good portion of this show is devoted to his disappointment with the audience. But true to form, he takes us through it step by step – if you’re not finding it funny, unlike the majority of the audience, he’ll break it down for you and explain why, actually, it very much is.

It’s stunning watching him weave his narratives. He’s had no time to prepare a show because he doesn’t do anything; it was supposed to be about disharmony in society, but all he’s got is some stuff about shops with ‘World’ in the title. We’re not his audience, we should go watch sad comedy like some other comedians do. His finale is flawless, tying together all the ends he has purposely left loose in a way you never, not in a million years, saw coming. The show is like a dance, every step planned and perfect. It’s something to be admired, an artwork of a stand-up show. Love him or hate him, you can’t argue with what he does.

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More on Stewart Lee and Edinburgh Fringe Festival:

Stewart Lee in interview: "Annoying, confusing, weird, satirical and clever" / Stewart Lee: Scrambled Egg / Stewart Lee - 41st Best Stand-Up Ever! / Fringe Therapy: Stewart Lee  / Stewart Lee & Bob Slayer: How The Fringe Escaped Its Certain Fate