David William Bryan: Fragility of Man

Wow - blown away again by this performance by David William Bryant. We saw fragility of man this time - a couple of years ago it was In Loyal Company. How hasn’t he been propelled into the limelight more - absolutely incredible talent. Also seems like a really nice guy - we met his father randomly once (talking about Hull in a queue) and quite rightly so he is incredibly proud of his son. We’ve been recommending to lots of people and wish you all the luck in the world for whatever’s next David!

What an extraordinary show. Deeply moving. Superb acting.

An extraordinarily powerful one-man play. Brilliant!

David William Bryan: Fragility of Man (*****)
A 12-year-old orphan, with a devastating right hook, spends much of his life in and out of prison. This is a literally a tour de force as the actor/playwright muscles his through his alliterative script of fights, drugs, prison, and love. Whether fighting a ferocious man or drug addiction there are no cheap shots here—it may be a one man show, but it fills the stage.


This is the 4th most enjoyable of the 136 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see more than 150 this year. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/

Truly astonished at David's ability to tell a story. Intense and absorbing, superbly written, stupendous acting... The way characters came to life, one after the other, and the seamless passage from one scene to the next was so cleverly done.
Deeply emotional with one or two light rays of comedy and sweetness, I think that it had all these at the right measure.
In a festival saturated with comedy (which I also very much appreciate), it was so refreshing to watch something this different and so beautifully put together.
What an incredible show!! Absolutely loved it :)

Having seen in Loyal Company last year, we were left mesmerised by this one man’s talent to keep you hanging on his every word. His talent is unbelievable and I promise you will not be disappointed. The subject and language is extremely hard hitting, but true reality. Please please please book to see this show 10/10 David you deserve show of the fringe.

I saw David's other show, 'In Loyal Company', at the Fringe last year and was totally blown away by it so was very keen to catch 'Fragility of Man' this year. Once more, he gives a power house performance that you can't take your eyes off of!
It's amazing to watch him shift so effortlessly between different characters, scenes and emotional states throughout the play, making it really dynamic. The heavy themes explored make for an intense but gripping watch and the attention to detail in the writing makes it a really tight script.
Would highly recommend you check out both of his shows - solid writing paired with a performance executed to the highest level by an actor who throws his all into it!

What a great performance!

Having seen David's captivating performance in 'In Loyal Company' last year, I returned to see his other play 'Fragility of Man' and it exceeded expectations!

The play is both dynamic and engaging. You can’t help but sympathise with the main character, despite his flaws and struggles. David portrays perfectly the difficulty of escaping a cycle of failure, particularly when society fails to provide help.

This play is a compelling and thought-provoking experience, showcasing David's remarkable talent of storytelling.

Excellent play from start to finish by an exceptionally talented actor.

‘Fragility of Man’ is a powerful piece of theatre performed to the highest standard by David William Bryan. Having seen his other work, I was expecting this to be brilliant and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

It’s easy to see why his work is loved and enjoyed by so many, and I will be back next year to see him perform again.

Bravo, David!

Found this to be a totally overblown dull story with a lot of shouting. One man shows surely have to have an engaging story and this was just cliché driven . The blurb says “an epic battle with the justice system”, no it’s just a guy that commits crime and gets repeatedly put in prison. I don’t see what all the fuss is about and certainly not going to buy a script and re-read it all over again.

David William Bryan is a master of his craft.

I watched 'In Loyal Company' on one day and 'Fragility of Man' the next day.

This is a superbly written script and delivered with absolute precision. I was immediately pulled into the story narrative and was hooked throughout.

I left feeling emotionally drained. But now I want to see it again!

I cannot help but wonder 'how does David alternate between 2 shows with polar opposite characters?'. A testament to the professional he is.

if you follow him on Instagram you will appreciate how much hard work goes into the preparation with his team.

I did hear people debating as to which of the 2 shows is better.
For me it doesn't matter, as David was the best for me at the Fringe this year.

Congrats David to you and your team. All the incredible favourable reviews you receive are truly well deserved! All the best for the remainder of the Fringe.

Tightly written and performed with style and enthusiasm this is not a jolly show but it is powerful and thought provoking. It will leave you musing on life choices (if choices have been truly made) and chance and what actually constitutes a life well lived. A show to see and remember.

I defy anyone not to be drawn into this astonishing performance from David William Bryan. Anyone who is considering seeing this show should be prepared to be emotionally drained - but it is absolutely worth it for a breathtaking experience.

I have never seen a David William Bryan play that I wasn't totally blown away by! The Fragility of Man is excellent. You get completely absorbed in the story and transported from one location to the next, all by one man with a chair for a set. His fantastic acting makes it easy to conjure up the images in your mind, from a packed and sweaty rave to a lonely prison cell. Don't miss this!

Had heard good things about this show so went to see it.
What an absolutely amazing performance!

A chair and some sweatpants is all he needs to make us see everything this character is going through, the people he meets and places and situations he’s thrown into.
Gripping and moving and sometimes chilling to the core.
He has such dynamic stage presence that I was glued to every word, every movement, and couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to.

I am officially now a fan of David William Bryan and urge anyone - everyone - to go see him. A pure master at work.

David was mesmerising moving emotional fragile and stunning. The one man show was stunning you could hear a pin drop throughout the performance his one man show was complex raw and emotional and you could feel the pain through every word. This show is a must see please don’t miss it !! Such talent !!

Having seen In Loyal Company I knew we were in safe hands for a good show. This went over and above expectation. The writing. The performance. The theatre. All exceptional. This is the only show I have seen this year that got a very deserved standing ovation. If you can please go and see it. You will not be disappointed.

Brilliant. A fabulous show. If I had time I’d book the second of this artists shows. Certainly in my top 5 of the shows we’ve seen this year.

A dramatic tour de force. Reminiscent of David Mamet's American Buffalo. A heartbreaking tale of the journey toward redemption. And how the misfortunes of fate can come around again at the most unexpected turn. Themes of how a broken childhood due to abuse and neglect reverberates through generations. The saying goes; Hurt people hurt people. Although the themes are deep, a show truly not to be missed by an extremely talented actor.

Having been blown away by In Loyal Company last year we had come with high expectations this year and wow!
This is a total tour de force. You don't just watch, you are drawn to walk along beside. Here is my brother, here's my best friend, here's my worst nightmare. My heart was in my mouth within minutes and I nearly choked on it.
If you haven't seen David yet, book your tickets now. He is such a physical storyteller and so much more.

If you thought David William Bryan's other 2024 Fringe show, In Loyal Company, was a powerful one-man tour de force, this one knocks you right between the eyes. A great script coupled with a passionate, high-energy performance radiating from the stage leaves you transfixed. Simply superb. If you get a chance to see David William Bryan perform, grab it with both hands.

A topical and thought provoking show. I have seen many solo shows at the Fringe but the physical performance and energy from David is second to none. Now going to see his other show!

Terrific writing and fabulous performance. You must put this performance on your list for this year!

Genuinely excellent. Very moving. A must see.

You know that thing where people say “If you only see one show…”, etc? Well, this is it!

David is a master storyteller. Matched with an outstanding ability to switch characters convincingly, and incredible physicality, his show grips the audience from start to finish.

There’s a real giveaway as to what others audience members think when you look around, as people are so engrossed that no one is moving a muscle. It really is quite extraordinary.

So, if you only see one show…

Another fantastic show by David William Bryan. From the second he begins to the second it ends, you will be captivated. Incredible writing and acting. I came after seeing his other show “In Loyal Company.” Do yourself a favor and book tickets for both immediately. Absolutely brilliant.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Amazing performance draws you in and plays with your emotions, fantastic full on performance that doesn’t disappoint. Having seen in Loyal company a couple of times had to go and see this David Bryan is a phenomenal actor who puts absolutely everything into the performance.

Absolutely outstanding ! Went with my 16 year old and we were both in awe of David William Bryan’s storytelling and acting. Hard hitting and moving. A brilliant piece of theatre.

An amazing show by such a talented actor. Highly recommended.

Fragility of Man was a moving show, the main character was brought to life by David William Bryan to show his turmoils and tell his story. The way he portrays more than one character with maybe only a tilt of the head etc was great and he occupies the stage with no more than a chair is a fantastic skill.
Absolutely well worth seeing. We saw In Loyal Company last year, and it blew us away with brilliant acting, writing and (true) story.

Gripping performance from David William Bryan. A story filled with pain performed with such physical commitment. Gritty, witty and exceptional use of language. Would thoroughly recommend

I went to this after seeing his other performance ‘In Loyal Company’ as it was so good. Fragility of Man is also excellent. What an actor! His rightly very proud dad greets you when queuing to go in and David thanks you on your way out. Both his shows are outstanding and him and his dad are the kind of guys you would enjoy having a pint with. I am a comedy and cabaret sort of man but so grateful that I caught this. Go see

Brilliant play(s) and breathtaking acting. Same actor/writer of both of the shows - Fragility of Man & In Loyal Company - worth watching both. You can see his passion for what he has been doing in his plays and by talking to him. Really appreciate artists that shine on stage. The fact that English is not my first language didn't stop me from being fully drawn into the stories. The embodiment of emotions was outstandingly moving.

Brutally gripping story. Outstanding performance. I didn't want for the show to stop because it was such a joy to see someone act like this. Came out and booked a ticket for his other show "David William Bryan: In Loyal Company". Really enjoyed the second play, too! Very different stories, worth seeing both.

70 minutes of gripping drama by an absolutely fantastic actor. Same guy does In Loyal Company
2 completely different shows one common denominator. David William Bryan is a brilliant actor not to be missed.

Excellent performance. A gripping performance for just over an hour. This is a must see at the Fringe. Through the experiences of one person, you are taken down a dark path which takes you out of your comfort zone. Go and see it while you can.

This was a hard-hitting, searing solo show about one man’s journey through the prison system. Brilliant and convincing, it hammered home the impossibility of living a good life when all odds are stacked against you. A must-see.

Brilliant writing and mesmerizing performance. 5 stars!

Tremendous performance and a terrific piece of writing. This chap is a highly talented actor/writer who should be more widely known. The best performance we have seen at this years festival by a mile. If you love theatre, go an see it.

Bryan’s performance is bewitching and the experience left us breathless. This was the finest show we have seen at the Fringe this year.