“Gyles remains a witty and charming presence, a gifted raconteur who can tell a story like few others.”
Gyles Brandreth returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with new show Gyles Brandreth: Up Memory Lane! Taking residence in Assembly George Square’s Gordon Aikman Theatre, Gyles is joined by co-host of his successful podcast Rosebud, Harriet Jaine, who makes her festival debut. Tackling the subject of childhood memories, Gyles brings charm and witty anecdotes, but one can’t help but leave feeling that this serves mainly as an extended advertisement for their podcast.
Gyles and Harriet recount some of their earliest memories, with more than a dash of namedropping, song and dance numbers, and silliness along the way. With over 300 guests having appeared on their podcast, Rosebud, Gyles and Harriet recount their most memorable guests and the surprising memories of some of their subjects.
The television star and former Member of Parliament opens the show himself, detailing the fragility of memory in his seventies. Gyles shares amusing stories of entering rooms and forgetting what he went in for, a problem solved by a tape recorder and stairlift, the result of a lucrative advertising deal with Stannah Stairlifts. The star reveals some of the other advertising prospects, such as electronic armchairs and male incontinence pads, that have come his way and been swiftly rejected. Highlights include anecdotes about Gyles’ encounters with stars such as Sir Donald Wolfit and his witty response to a wonderful heckle, as well as Gyles’ surreal encounter with the great Sir Laurence Olivier.
Gyles remains a witty and charming presence, a gifted raconteur who can tell a story like few others. Even though many of the star’s stories will be familiar to those aware of his podcast and television work, the show attempts to find humour in the prospect of Gyles being cancelled, with Harriet on standby to cut him off before his humour gets too controversial.
Harriet Jaine is given many moments to shine by her co-star, including a musical number in which she delivers an A. A. Milne poem, and a somewhat stodgy song-and-dance number with Gyles. Much of the anecdotes in Up Memory Lane centre on ‘Best Bits’ from Rosebud, including contributions from Alexander Armstrong and Charles Dance, as well as Harriet’s own memories. These moments can occasionally make the show feel like an extended plug for the podcast.
Gyles Brandreth: Up Memory Lane! is at its best when Gyles is given free rein to namedrop and share his tales of classic theatrical stars, royalty and titans of the world of politics. Whilst the show does have these moments, patchy musical numbers and an emphasis on highlights from Rosebud take away some of the magic. There is undoubtedly plenty of charm and wit on display, but you may find yourself wondering whether you are watching a Fringe show or an extended live episode of Rosebud.
Gyles Brandreth: Up Memory Lane runs until August 30th. Tickets are available here.
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