Frankie is just your Ordinary Decent Criminal, who unfortunately got caught. Yes, he may have been convicted of importing drugs, but he isn’t a grass and he definitely ain’t no nonce. Unfortunately, though, he does lack a certain right hook, which means he definitely needs to keep on the right side of certain characters inside, and find friends, fast. Walking the tightrope between being too tough and not tough enough is a minefield as we discover in Mark Thomas’s memorable and hilarious monologue.
One of Edinburgh Fringe’s best kept secrets, Mark Thomas once again teams up with longtime collaborator, playwright Ed Edwards where their brilliant England & Sons (Fringe First 2023) left off. A similar diamond geezer, but this time behind bars and at the mercy of Tony Blair’s New Labour Woke policies instead of Thatcher’s societal destruction, two sides of the same anti-socialist coin they would no doubt argue.
The Edwards/Thomas weave of the political and the personal always makes for a rich tapestry of ideas and banter, with Thomas physically and verbally morphing into all of the characters with ease along the way. It is an irresistible mix.
Beating ‘Belfast Tony’ in the final of the prison chess tourney might not have been his most astute move, but hey, with two phone cards and a mars bar up for grabs…. Then there is kingpin De Niro, the white Muslim who is treating his stay in Strangeways as a much needed holiday.
As usual Thomas throws himself with blood, sweat and tears into every character, leaving him glistening and panting by the finishing line, and whilst this doesn’t quite have the same depth and allegorical nuance as its predecessor, it is still a highly entertaining hour. I’ve no doubt the praise for this show will be Fulsom!
11:50 Daily (Not 5, 12, 18th) – Till 25th August
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ordinary-decent-criminal
Reviewer: Greg Holstead
Reviewed: 3rd August 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Running time – 1hr 10mins