Back at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, Hal Cruttenden is divorced, “dating” and realising just how challenging it is navigating dating apps in his show Can Dish it But Can’t Take It.

His ex-wife has moved on and I got a sense that behind the “comic value” of being slightly envious of her being in a relationship with a Police Officer he is deep down ok about this. There wouldn’t be any comedy in being positive about it!

Cruttenden talks about the effect life has had on his two daughters, his siblings’ relationships and the people who ask him to take photos of them with his famous sister Abigail Cruttenden after his show. Not that he minds especially when he is taking the photo in front of his poster! He tells it far better than I can.

I strongly agree with one of the observations Cruttenden makes about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Since when has it become a major obituary day on Facebook? Using social media to celebrate the living would be nicer. I will leave that one there for anyone to ponder.

Being of a similar age and relationship status so many of the experiences are relatable. You require a sense of humour to survive and navigate through things like “dating apps.”

Cruttenden uses a fifty-something critical eye to observe and poke fun at the world, he claims to be harsh to his audiences, but he isn’t particularly harsh just honest and cynical. Nobody walked out or appeared to have been offended. At the end of a busy Fringe day, this is the perfect comedy show to watch to relax and have a laugh. There’s nothing not to like about it.

For more information about Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It please use the links below. This show will be going on tour after the Edinburgh Fringe finishes.

Five Stars.

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/hal-cruttenden-can-dish-it-out-but-can-t-take-it

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/hal-cruttenden-can-dish-it-out-cant-take-it