Birdwatching
After a year away from the Fringe, mostly spent wandering around bird reserves up and down the country, Alex is now very excited about returning to Edinburgh with his brand new show.
Following his previous three critically acclaimed shows, Alex once again tackles a subject that other comedians would shy away from. Having conquered science, body language and Latin, this year he turns his attention to birdwatchers – or twitchers, birders, dudes, ornithologists, whatever you want to call them – a breed of enthusiasts too often ignored (perhaps feared) by the comedy world.
“I’m not a birdwatcher myself, but my Dad is. He’s been watching birds for as long as I’ve known him (almost 29 years). Whenever we were in the car on family holidays he’d knock frantically on the window if we passed a kestrel hovering above the motorway and we’d all have to look up and say, ‘yes, that’s very nice, dad, well done’.
I was a member of the YOC when I was little and still have the shiny badge (an osprey, I think) in a draw somewhere. But ever since the age of about seven any interest in the hobby (or hobbies) waned. I’m now the same age as my dad was when he had me. He’s twice as old as I am (that hasn’t always been the case – when I was five, he wasn’t ten) so I thought it was time to find out what it is that continues to make him tick (and twitch) by joining him on a Big Year – a birding term for trying to see as many species as possible in twelve months. We started our good-natured (h)ornithological competition on January 1st 2006.”
Did Alex see more birds than his Dad? Did he learn to love Birdwatching? And what have Bahrain, Birdworld and Bill Oddie all got in common? Find out in this dramatically true tale from the Perrier Nominee, Chortle Award Winner and Edinburgh favourite.
Alex Horne not only manages to make it [birdwatching] sound interesting, but he actually comes up with a first class comedy show on the subject – and even without a trace of irony on account of the hobby itself… Combining an account of that year-long contest, sound recordings of his world-wide avian field trips, impassioned power point presentations and irresistible audience banter, this is much more of a progressively inclusive family comedy than your typical stand up, and the feel good factor is unrivalled
Duska Radosavljevic, THE STAGE
Horne’s wide-eyed appetite for knowlege shines through and uncovers the naturally ridiculous elements of his findings… And who on the Fringe can wield a better PowerPoint presentation?
Brian Donaldson, THE LIST
Horne is that rarest of creatures, the funny geek. He has a scientist’s curiousity coupled with the gentle humour and enthusiasm that characterises the best lecturers. Combining these traits with his beloved PowerPoint, Horne’s show tells of the year he spent locked in Oedipal combat with his Dad seeing who could spot the most birds. It is charming, warm and cosy rather than packed with killer lines, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Jonathan Trew, SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY
For something quieter, hunt out Alex Horne. Rather like a rare bird – his ostensible subject – he is a fragile delight, covering any subject with a daft, surreal charm.
Stephen Armstrong, THE SUNDAY TIMES
Horne’s observations are at once funny and fascinating.
Sharon Lougher, METRO
Horne is quirky, quick-witted and affable… Duncton has a lovely speaking voice.
Dominic Maxwell, THE TIMES