Donald Robertson Is Not a Stand Up Comedian

What would you do if everyone in the world hated you?

Would you run?

Would you fight?

Or would you try to make them laugh?

Donald Robertson has no mates and he isn't funny. But with guidance from his new mentor Gary, he hopes that this is all about to change. Donald Robertson Is Not A Stand Up Comedian is a darkly comic coming of age story that explores the need to belong and deconstructs the brutal role that humour can play in society.

“It's difficult to imagine vital questions about comedy, masculinity, hierarchy and cruelty being handled more skilfully, in such a short span, or with such a sense of self-questioning irony, from a writer and performer who knows his power to make audiences suspend disbelief.” —Four stars - Scotsmen

“A skilled performer and writer that asks some pivotal and vital questions about comedy and growing-up in a timely and entertaining fashion.” —Public Reviews

“McNair does not miss a trick timing-wise” —Stage

“This play exposes the bitter cruelty of childhood, the pain of isolation and bullying and the harsh reality that in this life it is kill or be killed, and in order to rise up the pecking order you have to send someone else down to take your place - a lovely, honest performance.” —FringeReview

“..delightfully deft monologue.” —The Times

“Gary McNair...blends theatrical storytelling with standup to excellent effect, and is delivered with a knock-out punchline - Smart and cunningly constructed.” —Four stars - Guardian

“It is a fascinating shtick that nods to everything from Trevor Griffiths's exposure of the comedy of hate in Comedians to the relationship between stand-up and live art - a knowing study of one of the Fringe's most popular artforms that has a punchline to die for.” —Herald Scotland

“As a blend of jokes and theatre, it works beautifully, and McNair delivers real insight along with the laughs. A gem of a show.” —Four stars - Telegraph