FRINGE 2018: Why you need to see… Adam Rowe

Who: Adam Rowe

What: Undeniable

Where: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just the Big Room

When: 7.40pm

Why:

Adam Rowe will one day be selling out arenas. Not only because he is extremely funny and hugely likeable, but because he will not rest until he makes it happen. There are various factors that dictate whether any comedian enters the mainstream – some are within their control and others are not. Rowe doesn’t aim to lament the latter, but instead focuses on the former.

The title of his show derives from Rowe’s aim to become so accomplished that his brilliance is undeniable, and no one can fault his drive. He is filling up a cavernous space on a nightly basis, yet refuses to sit on his laurels. Indeed he continues to hand out his own fliers with the humility of a man who started from nothing and forcefully made himself.

Rowe’s girlfriend features heavily in the show and he elicits gasps when he admits she’s ‘not the one’. He goes on to explain himself far better than I could relay, but the subtext to every gag at her expense is really, he loves her very much. Rather than paint himself in a good light to make you like him, he admits his many failings…and you end up liking him anyway.

There are those at the Fringe who may look down their nose at comics like Rowe who are really fucking funny and refuse to evoke dead relatives to crowbar pathos into shows. They may feel that Rowe is something of the throwback to the uncomplicated comedy of a bygone age. Such critics can fuck right off, because they’re clearly not paying attention.

Not only is Rowe unfailingly honest, but he’s saying something vital and fresh about how we castigate anyone who has ever had a flaw, or lacks the life experience to realise they are wrong. Rowe admits to prejudices he has held in the past – to Muslims, gays, even staff at Greggs – but he refuses to accept that he can’t learn and grow from it. He won’t be denied.

You can buy tickets for Undeniable here.