Geoff got to see Phil Nichol’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival show “Hiro Worship” pronounced ‘Hero Worship’ but I got to see him act, so when the chance came for us to see him at our favourite Comedy Club, The Stand in Edinburgh, we were both there with bells on, mind you so were both Omid Djalili and Boothby Graffoe (three of my comedy heroes in the same room!!).

Phil is his own warm up act so he gets to know exactly the level of his audience and just how far he can go. His warm-up section included both old and new material most of which I had not heard before.  He finished off serenading us with his guitar.

His “Hiro Worship” starts off with the band, Kirsty on bass , with two guys, Ivan and Paul, on drums and guitar on stage playing , we then hear  part of Phil’s personal story which includes his new Japanese friend Hiro, a Rolling Stones obsessive who speaks no English, met at a comedy gig and part of Phil’s life shaping development.  Phil’s life is nothing if not eventful, whether it’s just life or his whacky personality who knows. Yet he seems to get so much out of each experience and is able to pass it on to members of his audience through his comedy and laughter.  Half the time you don’t know where he is going, the rest of the time he seems to be heading in one purposeful direction.  Hiro Worship covers other forms of obsession, the pigeon holes people are stuck in and STALKERS!  Much as I adore Phil I hope I am not classed as his stalker especially as I don’t want a scary song written about me.

Phil has a superb singing voice but we don’t get to hear much of it without him putting on silly voices or being crazy. Now that I have seen Phil once or twice, Geoff and I are arguing over any further Fringe appearances. Rumour has it he might not be doing stand-up Fringe 2008 but just plays, I hope this is just a rumour and we get more of his comic-therapy! If laughter is the best medicine then ‘Dr’ Nicol is a medical genius and should be prescribed freely by the NHS. I can also say he is my Hiro and I enjoy Worshiping him as often as possible.