Chris Forbes: Father Christmas - Fringe Review
- Thomas Levi
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
★★★★★
Chris Forbes: Father Christmas at Monkey Barrel Comedy is a warm comedy surprise. Beneath the tinsel, Christmas soundtrack and festive aesthetic lies an hour of exceptional storytelling that proves Christmas isn't just a season; it’s a timeline of our lives.
Forbes takes the audience on a journey through Christmas, beginning with the wonder of childhood: flicking through the Argos catalogue, decorating the tree and counting down the days until Father Christmas arrives. As the years pass, the focus shifts naturally towards family dinners, changing traditions and eventually the next generation, where children inherit the same sense of magic. Running alongside these memories is the revelation of why Forbes can no longer bear to hear I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, transforming what begins as nostalgic stand-up into something far more personal.
Forbes makes deeply personal memories feel universal. Family photographs and Facebook posts from Aunt Marie become more than visual aids; they create recurring punchlines while grounding every story in lived experience. A family slideshow would usually feel exhausting, yet Forbes mines every image for comedy, whether it's a bizarre collection of Christmas condiments or a 1980s hi-fi system in a glass cabinet. Every visual earns its place because it adds another layer to the joke rather than just illustrating it.
His delivery is inviting; Forbes never chases applause or relentless belly laughs. Instead, he builds an atmosphere where the audience feels they're spending an hour with someone sharing treasured family stories over Christmas dinner. The Jingle Bells sing-along could easily feel forced, yet it lands because it grows naturally from the joyous atmosphere he has created. It's an approach that keeps the comedy consistent while allowing the emotional turn to arrive with the required weight.
The show's weakest element is the promotional imagery, which suggests an exaggerated festive caricature; I expected an exhausting novelty act. The reality is, thankfully, far richer. This is thoughtful, heartfelt stand-up that trusts its audience. The laughs are steady rather than explosive, yet that measured rhythm allows every emotional beat to land with greater force, leaving audiences smiling long after the final story has been told.
Chris Forbes has crafted a wonderfully generous hour that reminds us why Christmas memories stay with us long after the decorations come down. Whether you're a festive fanatic or someone who dreads December, this is a show worth circling in your Fringe Catalogue, and hoping Santa Claus gifts you the tickets.
Chris Forbes: Father Christmas is at the Monkey Barrel 2 from 13:30
A beautifully crafted hour of festive nostalgia, family stories and gentle laughs. Chris Forbes turns personal memories into something universally moving.
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