Two minutes into Chris Ramsey's set I thought I'd discovered the ultimate Frankenstein stand-up. Stir-fry the wind tunnel comb-over of early Russell Howard, the north-eastern cadences of Ross Noble and sociological asides of Russell Kane and you might get Ramsey. Two more minutes in, however, I realised that I'd actually found a brilliantly engaging natural storyteller making a real breakthrough.
Ramsey's show, Offermation, is all about the modern habit of providing acquaintances with far too much unwanted trivia. This is typified for the youthful comedian by Christmas round robin letters from people he barely knows talking about people he knows even less. His easy, accessible banter is punctuated by readings from various letters featuring banal news about holidays and DIY scrapes.
Appearances deceive. Despite mocking his missives, his heart-warming conclusion is that this sort of thing unites people. A touching climax has a whiff of Dave Gorman about it, yet despite these similarities, Ramsey is so skilful that he feels distinctive. By the time you read this the closely contested Edinburgh Comedy Awards shortlist will have been announced. Ramsey deserves a nomination but if he misses out he will be a star anyway.
Until August 28 (0131 556 6550, edfringe.com)
Chris Ramsey
Pleasance Courtyard
