Stephen K Amos

Published Wednesday 25 August 2004 at 11:30 by Nick Awde

A Stephen K Amos show is an almost mystical experience in some ways, when you consider how his seamless string of observations, provocative questions and bizarre images sum up our ordinary lives, opening a window of sorts on our collective psyche.

He somehow manages to involve one and all whether discussing the songs of Cliff Richard or locating people who have the necessary skills to help rebuild society in the event of a world cataclysm, a routine that somehow transmutes into a cheesy gameshow and a touch of truth or dare that gets the entire hall squirming in their seats.

But Amos has more on his mind than mere laughter rousing - this year he is a man with a mission. Since he feels the need to prove to his dad that the boy done good, the comic has set himself the task of learning a new skill each day this August in Edinburgh. Things like changing a plug, cooking more than an egg - the sort of things that would make anyone’s old dad proud. This particular evening, things took a sophisticated turn when Colin MacIntyre of the band Mull Historical Society made a surprise appearance to jump up onstage to show Amos how to write a song on the piano.

Provocative, thoughtful and wickedly funny.