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While it's a Scottish vote, for Erich it is very much a British referendum.

 

It's not a surprise really over the last few years he's gone from ex-pat to citizen. Now he's just trying to undertand how the whole thing could fall apart. 

 

Praise for The British Referendum:

 

  • The List

"Every hack and their dog are spouting Scottish referendum material at this year’s Fringe, but American comic Erich McElroy has gone one step further by devoting 60 minutes to it. It's a subject ripe for satire, and while his show is hardly explosive, he explores it with an outsider’s eye for amusing detail. A British citizen since 2007, this amiable ex-pat has an unusual interest in our political landscape. He may not be eligible to vote in September, but he’s obviously followed the saga with a scrutiny that would shame most Scots-born commentators.

 

PowerPoint comedy shows are often the last refuge of the lazy scoundrel, but McElroy’s inspired choice of clips – such as Salmond's grandstanding juxtaposed with right-wing US Christian insanity – are bolstered by a warm, witty narration supporting his central theme: pride in one’s background is perfectly acceptable until it degenerates into absurd nationalism.

 

Despite being firmly in the ‘no’ camp, McElroy’s show never comes across as a divisive polemic. It’s a heartfelt plea from a smart, sharp, endearing comic who’s baffled by the very idea of cultural separatism. It’s likely that even the staunchest independence supporter will be charmed by his inclusive monologue."

 

  • The Scotsman

"A welcome breeze of conciliatory good humour in the independence debate."

 

  • The Edinburgh Evening News

"McElroy has a very easy, free-flowing style and he effortlessly and hilariously points out some of the absurdities on both sides of the campaign.

 

Well worth it, even if you’re not in the least bit political."

 

Here's some early coverage of the show:

 

  • Three Weeks Pick of the Fringe: "3 to see" here

"Erich McElroy isn't sitting on the fence, he has some pretty strong opionons on the referendum, and he's not even a native. He's an American in possesion of a British Passport, in fact, who has taken his citizenship test, and everything. Now that he's become a fully paid up Brit, he's not very happy at the thought of losing the Scottish element, and I can kind of understand that. But whether you agree with him or not, this show is likely to be slick and funny because McElroy is a skilled, experienced comedian with an impressive comedy CV."

 

  • Recommended in Time Out A-Z of 2014 Fringe here (under 'R) 

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  • Recommended in Chortle - Referendum Fringe shows here

 

  • Erich's 3 minute interview here

 

Download the official press release here:

 

 

 

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