Part comic, part philosophiser, part literary critic, Will Rowland returns to the Fringe with a solo hour that proves he’s more than just the funny man from Crizards. Alone in the Banshee Labyrinth, he blends sharp stand-up with musings on literature, philosophy, and the strangeness of modern life.
Rowland’s “dimpled cavalier” presence makes him instantly likeable, but beneath the charm is a restless, analytical brain. He begins with friendships that have shifted from reminiscing on old times to marathons and wild swimming, joking that maybe people are running not for fitness but from life’s lack of meaning. Delivered with irony and sincerity, it sets the tone for a set that veers between profound and playful.
One thread sees him praising Wordsworth’s genius while repeatedly skewering world-famous author Bill Bryson. Bryson gets it in the neck again and again, not out of genuine malice but as an absurd comic obsession that builds into one of the show’s funniest running jokes. Elsewhere, Rowland waxes lyrical about amethysts and late-stage capitalism, deftly folding big ideas into punchlines.
Personal asides keep the hour grounded. Now in his thirties, he jokes about the possibility of a little baby Rowland, if anyone will procreate with him. It’s silly, self-mocking, and lands beautifully against the backdrop of his loftier reflections.
What makes Sunshine by Candlelight stand out is its balance: one moment Rowland quotes poets, the next he punctures his own pomposity with a gag. The rhythms of his old double-act days are still there, but now he’s arguing with himself, and it works.
The free fringe setting gives the show a raw, alive quality. Drop a few quid in the bucket, this is thoughtful, absurd comedy from a performer hitting his stride.
Although it’s free fringe, you’ll need to pick up a ticket from the bar at least an hour before the show if you want to get in. It was full the day I attended, and I don’t doubt it will be for the rest of the run.
18:25 Daily Till 23rd August
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/2025WILLROW
Reviewer: Greg Holstead
Reviewed: 16th August 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Running time – 1hr