The Plebs need to have a pow wow. The world is a mess, our leaders aren't stepping up and it's time for us to do the necessary. That's where you come in. At each show, Ian Stone will choose some major issues. And together, we'll sort them. It could be the potholes that life throws up, what punishment is suitable for irritating behaviour in a public place or how to be sure that tropical fruit is fresh. One day, we might do the Middle East. Imagine that being sorted! **** The Times

August 21, 2026    North West End

And if you do end up with a Rhino-sized hamster in your kitchen, make damn sure it has its trousers in order and understands the recommended toilet manoeuvres. You get meh?

‘Mon there, keep up. Especially Keith from Canada. There’s audience sympathy for Keith, for so quick and break-neck is the pace of this show, it’s a tall ask. Speaking of which, just take a moment to contemplate the diminutive Hazel Blears given the responsibility for floods back in 2007? Speaking of politicians, there’s a brief assessment of prime ministers from Tony Blair, Gordon Brown et al up to and including Andy Burnham. It’s exhausting, impossible to take your eyes off him or take even a second to pass comment to your neighbour. There are twists and turns, but Stone doesn’t slow down for any of them. It’s a delightful, apparently ungoverned ramble… maybe ‘rampage’ would be a more accurate term… Stone describing his default state as ‘angry, irritable, with a hint of impotence’. The word ‘apparently’ reflects the fact that Stone’s a seasoned campaigner (check CV alert) because there’s skills-a-go-go evident; as the audience enters, he dances and greets, the words ‘infectious’ and ‘enthusiasm’ clearly coined with characters like him in mind. He ponders thoughtfully on the theme – and modern-day importance – of storytelling, highlighting how wrong’uns like Henry VIII and/or Cromwell (Brexit 1) or Boris Johnson (Brexit 2) were able to get away with illogical nonsense, yet (Sir) Keir Starmer failed so sadly. He also riffs on language (the pedantic pursuit of), homemade hash cakes, Ibiza, sleep, ADHD (wouldn’t be the Fringe without, would it?), the Australian immigration ‘points’ system, pets, phones, even finding a moment to – almost – hilariously excuse Hitler. A man let’s just say, with less to lose than those he persecuted. Although the Golf reference seemed to sail over a lot of heads.

None of the above are spoilers since, based on today’s evidence, the topics will shift and alter from show to show. The only thing that grated was the frequent use of the phrase ‘I think you’ll/we’ll all agree…’ It belongs in the bin with ‘Let’s face it/be fair’. Click Here For Review

August 8, 2026    One4Review

It is day one. His first show at Fringe 2026. Some people I would never go and see this early, however Ian Stone is someone I will. He is always a safe pair of hands and guaranteed to provide an hour of top notch comedy. And I was not alone. The large venue was packed out with queues round the block.

Stone greets one and all, settles them down and warms up the crowd with the definition of plebs and examples of past PMs. He has 50 prepared questions about how we, the plebs, can maybe find a solution that our esteemed politicians cannot. Involving the audience with calling out numbers, he runs through a selection of his questions, discusses the issued raised and notes down possible solutions; each and every one providing gales of laughter from the get-go.

The hour in his hand passes way too quickly. He is a consummate pro, a hugely erudite talker and above all an extremely funny man. Ian has been a regular Fringe visitor for more than 20 years now and I have seen him countless times. Go see him. You should not miss out.

As part of the Laughing Horse Free Festival, it is free to get in, but the bucket collection at the end is there for donations. Considering the prices of other (often less talented) performers, don’t be mean with your contributions. Click Here For Review

August 8, 2026    Entertainment Now

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