Skip to main content
Shop Merch Add a Show Listing
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

EDINBURGH 2023: Review: SHANE DANIEL BYRNE: BUT HE'S GAY, Gilded Balloon

SHANE DANIEL BYRNE: BUT HE'S GAY runs until 28 August

By:
Featured Topic Edinburgh Festival More Coverage EDINBURGH 2023: Review: SHANE DANIEL BYRNE: BUT HE'S GAY, Gilded Balloon

EDINBURGH 2023: Review: SHANE DANIEL BYRNE: BUT HE'S GAY, Gilded Balloon Image

But He’s Gay is Irish comedian Shane Daniel Byrne’s debut hour at the Fringe. Having quit his job before heading to the Fringe, he’s starting to feel like a lot is riding on this going well.

Perhaps most importantly in a comedy show, Shane Daniel Byrne is very, very funny. During lockdown he went viral on social media with some character comedy videos and he discusses the differences of the interactions between straight men and women in their 40s and 50s on his posts. 

Now. So far in this festival, I’ve had two acts tell me that the performance I came to was the worst of the run. I have a sneaky feeling that Byrne might add himself to the list of people I have cursed with my presence. Partway through the show, the microphone cut out and it definitely threw him. 

After some light encouragement from the audience, he continued the show projecting his voice but was clearly distracted by the technical issue. It was fine, everyone was fine! This happened late enough in the show that the audience had already grown fond of this charismatic man. The air conditioning unit had also broken and flyers (adorned with Byrne's face) were given out as fans to try and keep everyone cooler. Byrne remarked that this was also a very strange experience watching a room full of people waving his own face back at him. 

Getting back into his stride made this debut all the more impressive. There are some absolutely brilliant jokes in this show along with some personal storytelling. Shoutout to Gavin the tech for getting things back up and running. Little snags like this are what makes the Fringe the Fringe.

But He’s Gay is a beautifully crafted funny show made all the better for the obstacles thrown at it.

Click Here to Get Tickets

Reader Reviews


Local Shows
Aberdeen Arts Centre's Big Variety Show in Scotland Aberdeen Arts Centre's Big Variety Show
Aberdeen Arts Centre (10/02-10/03)
The Steamie in Scotland The Steamie
Alhambra Theatre (10/29-10/31)
Alex McAleer - Mind Reader in Scotland Alex McAleer - Mind Reader
Eastgate Theatre (9/26-9/26)
Trainspotting The Musical in Scotland Trainspotting The Musical
Edinburgh Playhouse (10/19-10/24)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Scotland Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Alhambra Theatre (10/07-10/10)
Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years in Scotland Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years
The Lemon Tree (9/24-9/24)
Venue Premium - Two Doors Down in Scotland Venue Premium - Two Doors Down
OVO Hydro (9/25-10/11)
Trainspotting The Musical in Scotland Trainspotting The Musical
Alhambra Theatre (3/01-3/06)
Disney''s Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert in Scotland Disney''s Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Usher Hall (12/03-12/03)
Giovanni: Unstoppable in Scotland Giovanni: Unstoppable
Alhambra Theatre (4/11-4/11)

BroadwayWorld TV