Matt Parker is a nerd. And a geek, but mostly a nerd who likes numbers. Getting Triggy With It is his new show, which talks about patterns, geometry and computer programming in a way that people who use those things will enjoy. It’s also for everyone else; this is a fun stand-up show about how maths is everywhere.
It’s stuffed with references to maths, calculations and of course card games, but this is balanced well. If you exist in a world where computers are things (and who doesn’t these days), you will find this rather funny. If you’re immersed in that world, you might find it hard to stop giggling.
There’s a whole bit about Wordle, and trying to use maths to spoil the fun. And then realising that, in fact, no matter how clever you think you’re being, there’s always a more innovative way to do a thing. This is also a show about asking for help and getting unexpected answers.
This is the first show at 2025’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe that we’ve seen, which covers the technology that the marketing is calling AI with actual knowledge and honesty. Matt explains what predictive mathematics can do and how it can be used, without any bias or spin. He is a comedian, so we do get an extended joke about how the robots are coming for our jobs, but that’s all intended in the spirit of comedy.
Parker has come a long way since his Full Frontal Nerdity days almost a decade ago (we liked that show as well). He’s continued to be funny, clever and heartfelt. This is intelligent comedy, not because it’s full of mathematics, but because it understands people in a specific way and speaks to that part of us that is inherently curious. Brilliant stuff from a brilliant performer.
You can book tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe show here and learn more about the artist and future shows here.
