Edinburgh Fringe Festival Review
Eli Matthewson’s NIGHT TERROR 6O minutes
In Night Terror at The Edinburgh Fringe, award winning New Zealand comic Eli Matthewson tells of his strangulation incident and growing paranoia in his own home (after four break ins and changing sides of the bed with his partner with unexpected consequences).
He is way too charming to make us really feel his anxiety but do we don’t really mind as it’s Edinburgh Fringe and it’s a comedy show! And it’s not just funny but also original and touching as Eli takes us through the circumstances of how his partner accidentally tried to strangle him one night.
Eli is just lovely, and so is his comedy: subtle, sexy and funny. Maybe he’s just a tad too nice as he minimises the strangulation episode. But the crowd loves him as he evokes much needed laughter and joy.
The story is perfectly structured as it weaves the tales of his life with well placed jokes and hilarious asides. The show starts to wind up with a bigger picture context, and his political view elegantly stated with his concern of becoming conservative, or a least more paranoid, with age. I personally felt the piece would have ended perfectly here without the extra ‘Barocca mystery’ story that felt a big tagged on, and not as developed as the other material.
Overall Eli Mattewson’s Night Terror at the Edinburgh Fringe is a true delight. Grab tix if you can and watch out for more of this great talent. I certainly will be looking out for him.
Follow Eli on Instagram.
Night Terror runs from 30 July – 24 August (except 11th), 8:50pm at Underbelly George Square (Wee Coo).
Here’s a flashback to Ruby’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival Report for ABC and RubyTV