Review: FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN, Summerhall - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

Written by Marcelo Dos Santos and directed by Matthew Xia, Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen is a dark comedy about intimacy, ego, truth and the vulnerability that it brings.

Performed by Samuel Barnett as The Comedian, who introduces himself as “I’m 36, I’m a comedian, and I’m about to kill my boyfriend…” - this pretty much sums up the character throughout! Desperate to meet Mr Right, but generally messing it up along the way, with an edge of paranoia, hypochondria and neuroticism thrown in the mix. 

It’s writing we can all relate to at some point in our lives, and it is simply brilliant writing! 

Barnett’s performance is perfection. We immediately fall in love with him and his insecurities and just really, really want it to work out in the end. We want him to be happy, he is after all a comedian and makes others happy all the time.

Hilariously funny, due in a large part to its total honesty and also perfect timing, the time flies by and the audience are enthralled completely, leaning forward in their seats with mouths agape, it’s a joy to watch them too.

This is without question one of the highlights of the Fringe and we could not recommend it enough.

Uproarious, shocking and unfeigned!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by Rachel Louise Martin

Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen plays at Summerhall at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival until 28 August, with tickets available here.