Norman Lovett

FRINGE COMEDY Norman Lovett Pleasance Until August 28

HHH ThE hangdog expression that most people will recognise as the curmudgeonly face of Red Dwarf's computer Holly is still there. So is the deadpan dry humour of the face's owner, one Norman Lovett, as he strolls nonchalantly through this hour of gently amusing observational comedy.

Like an old pair of slippers, Lovett's lackadaisical style is so comfortable that you tend to forget it's there at all, and his frequent amiable interaction with the audience gives the show the feel of a bunch of friends just having a laugh.

Using an array of everyday props, Lovett guides us through his middle-aged life, peppering his chat with anecdotes about things like walking the dog and farting in public. Without ever being side- splitting he does coax out the odd laugh or two, and his experience is obvious as he works the audience expertly with little teases and the odd placid put-down.

Lovett is never going to be an attention-grabbing award- winner, but an hour in the company of this comedy veteran is an hour well spent.

Doug Johnstone

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