Few shows that have at its core a story of a comics dad who develops terminal lung cancer would be as heartwarming and stunningly funny as Des Bishop’s new show. He does his dad proud and the show was a sellout, the fringe has stand up’s all over the place but Des has done something simply beautiful here, this show is a true example of growing up, taking responsibility, and love.
This show was an additional show, an extra, wasn’t suposed to be, so the feeling in the room was high and the audience was packed into the Edinburgh Suite at Assembly George Street. Des came on and made a beeline for two older ladies in the audience which would be a recurring theme throughout his show and he explained what the show was about. His first part focused on his own battle with testicular cancer and some of the choices he had to make.
Once Des gets going the show itself takes on a wonderful organic feel as most of what he has to say is about the man he loves and has, over the past few months, has grown to love even more. The life of his father, Michael Bishop, an attractive and strong model/actor in the 1960s, seems to have given him a great wealth of material and as the hour continued the audience gets a real honest sense of who this man is. You warm to him naturally and Des paints a balanced picture of
My Dad Was Nearly James Bond has at its core a ode to Des’s father a man who is 10x larger than life, a provider, a surviver, and a all round good father. Throughout the show Des doesn’t mince his words, he’s at times too honest with the way he was as a child, the things he got up to, but strangely considering their family background they seemed tight as a family and helped each other when times where tough. Des talks about his drinking and his drugs at 19 with the type of wisdom that only a supportive family behind him could have afforded him.
Throughout the show Des uses images of his father, the film clips from Day of the Traffids and Zulu to introduce his dad as well many pictures of him with the family right through their childhood. This adds a very gentle touch his show but at the same time it shows an incredible legacy and a happy family.
The show becomes a living memorial to his dad, like the saying goes ‘you can’t take it with you’ and this show proves it. It’s better to say something now when the person is around to hear it and Des Bishop gives is dad (and his mum, Irene) a truly amazing gift. This show at times is very poignant, as well as insanely funny Des Bishop has created a show that is stand out 10 out of 10 entertainment.
‘Of all the show’s at the Fringe this one was by far one of the best, heartbreaking in its topic, yet blisteringly funny with his observations. Des Bishop new Fringe show is honest and probably one of the greatest gifts a son could give his dying father. This show will stay with you hands down!’
