*****

I don’t suppose that it is easy to stand on stage and speak about yourself ain front of a room full of strangers at anytime, but to tell the story that Taylor does as his Fringe show must be even more difficult. To tell the story interspersed with gags, well I am in awe.

I have seen MacKenzie a number of times over the last few years and never new before of the condition he suffered from or his need for medication, to control his symptoms, I just took him as a straight up funny guy.

He tells the story of his last 15 months when things got on top of him so much that he made a serious attempt at suicide and how he has been assisted in his recovery by this family and his long standing and suffering girlfriend Katy.

I am not going to attempt to précis any of the show, you just have to go and see it for yourself, as a story it has everything and as a true story wow, it even brought a lump to this wizened old reviewers throat occasionally.

And as for the closing part, I love the idea in principal, but in practice, I don’t really think so, and now you really do have to go to find out what I’m going on about.

****

MacKenzie Taylor:  No Straightjacket Required

Company: - Stage D'or & Green Room Presents

Venue: -  Pleasance JokerDome V 23

Dates: - 5 to 29 August 2009 (not 8, 16)

Times: - 14.30 to 15.30

Fringe Programme Page: - p74