A sold-out Paul Foot show at the Edinburgh Fringe is hardly a surprise. I managed to snag a very last-minute seat in the front row, which with Foot feels simultaneously like a privilege and a potentially hazardous place to be.
Foot has been part of the Fringe landscape for years, developing a particularly devoted following, the self-styled Guild of Connoisseurs, or Leguminati. There is something reassuring about seeing a comedian with such an established audience who still appears determined not to give them quite what they expect.
The Future finds Foot in characteristically restless form. His comedy occupies that peculiar territory somewhere between carefully constructed argument and the thoughts of a man whose internal filing system has been struck by lightning. Like a harmless drunk he sways and cavorts with his distinctive slurred delivery, I expect him at any moment to reach out and grab my sleeve.
Politics inevitably intrude in his rant. The rise of Reform gets his attention, but Foot is much more interested in taking an argument somewhere increasingly ridiculous than simply telling an audience what to think.
That becomes particularly funny when he wanders into the complicated territory of sex, sexuality and testosterone levels in sport. Somehow this develops into an investigation of female shot putters and whether being gay, straight or bisexual might affect precisely how feminine they are supposed to be. It is exactly the sort of logical rabbit hole Foot enjoys digging, beginning with something recognisable before pursuing it far beyond the point where any sensible person would have stopped.
And then, of course, there is the recurring cry of “Good sign!”, a phrase that increasingly feels capable of being deployed regardless of whether what has just happened constitutes a good sign of anything whatsoever.
Foot can be edgy and deliberately uncomfortable, but the intelligence behind the apparent chaos is what makes the hour work. There is method buried somewhere beneath the wandering thoughts, strange diversions and increasingly improbable propositions.
After so many years of coming to Edinburgh, it would be easy simply to play the hits. Foot still seems interested in testing where an idea might take him.
Sold out, front row, surrounded by the Leguminati and listening to an extended discussion about the sexuality of female shot putters.
If you are looking for an early evening stocking filler, Foot could be your man.
Playing until August 30th 2026,https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/2026PAULFOO
Reviewer: Greg Holstead
Reviewed: 7th August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating:
Running time – 1hr
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