Glenn Wool No Lands Man, Edinburgh Fringe 2011
August 7, 2011 by Such Small Portions
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Glenn Wool strode off the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe two years ago to pack his bags and head triumphantly to a new life in LA.
The comedian, who had escaped the Canadian club circuit over a decade ago to hone his skills in the UK, had felt that 12 years was about long enough to dedicate to the world's biggest arts festival and was due to seek his fortune in pastures new on the Californian coast.
Now Glenn is back, having barely unpacked that bag he zipped up all those months ago. Wool's new show No Lands Man is a reflection on his life as a traveling comedian – one of the pioneers of the 'world circuit' - which has taken him from comedy clubs in the heart of Hollywood to Australia, Belgium and Indonesia.
Centering the show around an incident with the rather thorough border security in Indonesia, Glenn probes the audience to ponder why he is smiling at the prospect of an anal examination in a small sterile room in Bali before heading off on several yarns ranging from missing an Iron Maiden concert in Belgium to why the reasons US won't release the photo's of Osama Bin Laden.
Wool's appeal is his ability to mix observational comedy with an eclectic surrealism. Wool always raises astute points within his comedy, whether on individuals or society as a whole, but chooses to obscure them within the narrative of his anecdotes. Not content in pointing out flaws, Wool likes to embellish first, then take the audience on a journey, such as into the mind of a beaver, preaching in a style reminiscent of a American baptist before returning to his original point.
It is this rollercoaster ride that Wool takes you on, commanding the stage with ease, which makes his comedy a joy to watch. And, even though No Lands Man doesn't have as strong a central theme as some of his previous shows such as Goodbye Scars, the material is as good as ever.
Wool's summation of his own comedy is right; you'll never see him on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, but that's part of the appeal
Tim Clark
Glenn Wool is appearing No Mans Land at the Assembly George Square 9;30pm. For more information visit assemblyfestival.com.
Want to experience the Fringe yourself? Travel with East Coast and you can be in Scotland in no time, with fares from £16.50 one way – visit eastcoast.co.uk/edinburgh
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