Dan Nightingale Is Trying His Best Not To Be A Dick @ Pleasance Dome

Performing in an 'intimate' venue, Dan Nightingale takes to the stage without any pomp or ceremony. His act is introduced by his adorably young nephew and he begins the show in a very haphazard manner. The audience instantly warms to him as his self deprecating style has everyone smiling in a matter of seconds and the room relaxes. Nightingale warns the audience straightaway that despite the tea time slot, his material was certainly written for post watershed. He is also very clear that the sparse stage is indeed a reflection of what to expect from his show.  No-frills-good-old-fashioned-stand-up, just one guy telling stories from his life and finding humour in everyday situations.

For the most part his jokes hit the mark as he tells relateable tales of dysfunctional families, ridiculous friends and sexual misadventures. However some of his references to living in London seem to fall short with some of the crowd. In these moments Nightingale has a tendency to fall back on his overly camp Alan Carr-esque alter ego for guaranteed laughs. Unperturbed by the occasional flat-liner, he does engage with the crowd and really seems to relish the back and forth with the more vocal punters. Unafraid to touch on many subjects that other comics may find uncomfortable, he covers some sensitive material with remarkable wit and gusto as he shares his unique outlook on living with disabilities and coping with “mental ex girlfirends.” At times his act can feel a little brash and near the bone, but certainly true to the title of the show – it is very clear that Dan Nightingale Is Trying His Best Not To Be A Dick.