MedFringe 2026
Low Down
Full of laughs, free from swears. This is sharp, joke-heavy stand-up that’s suitable for all. Think Dry-Bar Comedy or Friday night on Radio 4. Callum Mackenzie and featured guest Declan Kennedy present an hour of laughs, that you can listen to while sitting next to your nan.
Review
Callum is a comic full of energy that would not be out of place for a holiday camp rep or indeed a children’s party entertainer, and we very quickly understand why. It is fitting that he directs his comedy at a “friendly for anyone” audience. Although not child focussed, there is nothing crude, unkind or even seedy about the laughs provided.
Mackenzie has very well-rehearsed timing knowing exactly when to throw us a line, and reel us in, only to subvert the story with a throwaway quip that takes us off guard, the first three of four times it comes. It then becomes obvious that this is part of the structure. Although it continues to be funny the predictability made it feel somewhat repetitive.
The end section of the show about supermarkets was an excellent angle to go with. It has legs that could benefit from further exploration. Mackenzie opens a can of worms and observes something that we don’t often mention but are all aware of: the class markers of where you shop. I could see there was so much more Mackenzie had on this, but his fast pace somehow stepped up a gear at this point as he powered through and much to my frustration was checking his watch at what felt like the end of every sentence.
I was left feeling this comic has much more to give but was holding back for the sake of his next appointment.
Declan Kennedy, the featured guest, provides a contrast to the energy provided by Mackenzie. Looking like a man on his way to embark on a fishing trip, his self-deprecating tones about his own appearance makes him instantly relatable. His set was very contemporary or at least was able to relate to highly current goings on, which show both a level of skilful adaptability and currency with world affairs.
Most of his jokes require a foundation knowledge of music and films, and although I like some good tunes and the big screens, I was left filling in the gaps where names I was not familiar with came cycling round. The diversity and depth of the references did mean that it was not all a blank.
Not quite an afternoon of belly laughs, more moderately amusing chuckles that does live up to its own constraints of being clean comedy that you can enjoy with your nan.
