David O'Doherty: David O'Doherty Will Try to Fix Everything

It’s hard to think of a more universally adored act at the Fringe than David O’Doherty. His following seems to have grown year upon year and he’s already selling out extra shows, so keen are the weekend punters and the hardcore comedy fans to delight in this uniquely electric atmosphere.

This year’s offering sees him move away from the classics—don’t expect to hear his beefs of 2013—towards a more world-weary look at disappointment. Among others, a song detailing his frustrations around Lance Armstrong’s misdemeanors hits the mark, delivering the crowd their yearly dose of hilarious musical reflection while expanding on his general sense of having been let down by adulthood.

This is a balancing act that O’Doherty manages particularly well. There’s some seriously emotionally resonant discussion in his standup this year – the gap between miracle and reality and his desire to hold on to some hope make for particularly poignant themes. Indeed, it’s heartening to see this kind of ambition, and that he continues to move away from the keyboard to explore these darker thoughts. He’s at a certain stage of his career where he could easily phone it in, delighting huge crowds with his beefs forever. But he’s using this command and his well-developed voice to really grapple with some weighty issues, and that’s what makes seeing him so exciting. A consistent hit, which is by no means an easy feat, this year's work shows potential for something genuinely transcendent.