Dan Tiernan's "Quartz and All" Review: A Furious, Self-Loathing Dive into Healing Crystals

At the Monkey Barrel Comedy during the Edinburgh Fringe, comedian Dan Tiernan presents his latest show, "Quartz and All," a performance that plunges into his purported fascination with healing crystals as a pathway to inner peace and self-acceptance. Tiernan, a 30-year-old comedian hailing from Manchester, is known for his high-energy, often confrontational style, and this show is no exception. The premise of the show sees him turning to crystals like rose quartz, believed to promote calmness, and black tourmaline, intended for grounding. However, the reviewer observes a stark contrast between the intended effects of these stones and Tiernan's own demeanor, describing him as "the least calm and grounded comedian imaginable." This juxtaposition forms a core element of the show's comedic tension.

Tiernan's performances are consistently described as an intense experience, requiring the audience to "strap in for the ride." "Quartz and All" opens with Tiernan embodying his signature blend of self-loathing and raw energy, immediately establishing the show's tone. A particularly memorable early gag involves his acquisition of glasses, a moment that encapsulates his often-hostile ambivalence towards his own sexuality and appearance. He frames his interest in healing crystals as a desperate, last-resort measure, suggesting that only some form of magic can redeem a person he perceives as "freakish and unlovable." This deeply personal narrative, filled with anecdotes of profound loneliness – such as the humorous, yet poignant, admission of "getting on boats just so someone will wave at me" – is delivered with a "blood-vessel-busting" comedic force that elicits significant laughter.

However, the review notes that this brand of "internalised-bully comedy," while effective, can also be "uneasy viewing," particularly in the context of contemporary stand-up. The show draws a parallel with Hannah Gadsby's groundbreaking 2018 show, "Nanette," which similarly used personal trauma and self-deprecation as central themes. Gadsby's work, which redefined the landscape of comedy by blending raw vulnerability with sharp social commentary, paved the way for more introspective and challenging forms of stand-up. Tiernan's exploration of his own perceived flaws and his search for external remedies, while undeniably funny, invites audiences to consider the fine line between cathartic confession and potentially uncomfortable self-exposure. This thematic resonance highlights a growing trend in modern comedy, where comedians increasingly use their personal struggles as the foundation for their material, prompting audiences to engage with complex emotional landscapes through humor.