PRESS

Reviews of Elvis’ 2009 Edinburgh Fringe show One Man And His Doggerel at The Gilded Balloon:

“A bracing throwback to the days when comedy made room for militant eccentrics with a knack for scansion and a bolshie hankering to change the world….righteous ire, directed at very deserving targets….McGonagall’s verses are shot through with a moral umbrage and rhetorical power”
(Brian Logan, The Guardian ★★★★)
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“A Fringe debut that is everything it should be - funny, angry and full of tightly written quick-fire verse. McGonagall combines anger, polish and carefully crafted verse in a way which recalls John Cooper Clarke. If the word ‘poetry’ is putting you off, get over it”
(Susan Mansfield, The Scotsman ★★★★)

 

Reviews of Elvis’ 2015 Edinburgh Fringe show Countrybile at The Stand:

“….where Manchester has John Cooper Clarke, Dundee has Elvis McGonagall….wonderful writing, tack-sharp humour and uncompromising politics….hilarious”
(Marissa Burgess, The List ★★★★)

“Wonderfully acerbic left-wing verse… McGonagall is a lyrical master, weaving in plenty of Scottish colloquialisms and bags of humour… this is exactly the sort of thing the Fringe was made for” (Daisy Malt, Three Weeks ★★★★)
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Reviews of Elvis’ 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Show Full Tartan Jacket at The Voodoo Rooms:

“….a sharp and savvy political commentator who pulls no punches with searing wit, astute observation and a thrilling gift for hyperbole. A deceptively intelligent commentary on modern life that is inclusive, accessible and utterly hilarious. “Full Tartan Jacket” is everything that an authentic Fringe show should be - entertaining, thought provoking and affordable for all ”
(Chloe Caprani, Ed Fest Mag ★★★★★)

“He delivers a stream of beautifully worded invective barely pausing for breath with brilliant wit and wordplay. I haven’t laughed as much as this at anything else at this year’s Fringe and probably for quite a few years”
(David Chadderton, British Theatre Guide ★★★★★)

 

Reviews of Elvis’ 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Show Gin & Catatonic? at The Gilded Balloon:

“Richly inventive metaphors and memorable one-liners emerge like the finest of single malts….lines that slip down smoothly with just the right amount of burn”
(Dominica Plummer, The Spy In The Stalls ★★★★★)
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“A show that really typifies what the Fringe is all about….poetry, impersonations and astute political comedy….every word is well honed and crafted….like a cross between John Cooper Clarke and James O’Brien on steroids”
(Simon Darnley, London Born And Bred ★★★★★)
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“An impressive and very funny tirade of invective all linked seamlessly with prose as lyrical, polished and hard-hitting politically as the poems”
(David Chadderton, British Theatre Guide ★★★★★)
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“A wickedly sharp turn of phrase and rhymes to take your breath away…. one of the nation’s finest political poets….absurdly funny” (Ross Chalmers, Entertainment Now ★★★★)
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