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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Brian Logan

Barry Castagnola

The self-indulgence of much stand-up comedy finds its ultimate expression in Barry Castagnola's new show - which might be a problem, were it not such fun. The set describes the 30-year-old's recent experience of having, finally, to clean out his childhood bedroom. Castagnola doesn't return from this nostalgia trip with particularly insightful conclusions. But his pleasure in showing us the driftwood of his past makes for an appealing hour of biographical stand-up.

The roots of Cyderdelic, the rambunctious anti-capitalist spoof of which he is also member, are to be found here, as Castagnola unearths his old Socialist Worker kit. There's boisterous physical comedy, too, as when he imagines post-pub fighting as if between chickens on crack. But the show's focus is more personal. Here are Castagnola's childhood diaries, which reveal an amusingly earnest pre-teen. We meet him again in home video footage of boy and uncle exchanging crap Christmas gifts.

It's interesting to watch a personality take shape, as Castagnola evolves from proud owner of a Phil Collins collection to stoner subject of a hilarious police interview. Such are the twists and turns of Castagnola's memory lane, down which it's perfectly pleasant to take a stroll.

· Until August 30. Box office: 0131-556 6550.

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