Tim reveals his Darkside

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Tim Minchin: Darkside
Gilded Ballroom

In his opening song, Tim Minchin has a message for the critics in the room. Should they give him a bad review, he will come round to their houses and poo in their plant pots. He needn't worry - there's little disagreeable about his show.

The Australian comic and pianist, despite his self-deprecating song about not being a famous rock star, has already won the Director's Choice award at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and most Edinburgh reviews have been glowing.

The reason for the plaudits is that Minchin balances superb piano playing with a natural but affable showmanship and a humorously semi-crazed persona. Over the rousing introductory music he shouts that this is, er... the introductory music. With his backcombed hair and black overcoat the effect is quite sinister until he does a slapstick fall off the stage.

The gig continues largely in the same vein: a letter to his therapist breaks off for some Tourette's-style barked expletives. Elsewhere he shows his daft side in a song about the virtues of taking canvas bags to the supermarket.

Surely this is the beginning of the recognition he deserves.

Until Aug 28 (no perf tomorrow and Aug 25), Gilded Balloon Teviot, 10.15pm, £9 and £10, £8 and £9 concs.