FESTIVAL COMEDY | Reviews
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HARRIET BRAINE: TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE ART An educational and entertaining musical meander around the history of art ●●●●●
Musical comedy is a genre of the laughter business that, somewhat ironically, gets quite a bad rap. Despite the likes of Bill Bailey, Flight of the Conchords and Bo Burnham giving it a credibility boost down the years, there remains a certain waft about it that puts a lot of people right off. Just a bit too clever- clever, some critics would say, as though a little bit of intelligence is a bad thing.
No one who hates musical comedy is likely to despise it any less upon encountering the work of Harriet Braine, who showed that the form can still make in-roads after her 2016 success in scooping the Funny Women competition and earning a spot on the So You Think You’re Funny final lineup. Dressed up as an art history seminar, Professor Braine is here to educate us on the great artists and, more importantly, show us how their names can fit into instantly recognisable tunes.
So, without giving too many of the surprises away, Matisse is merged with a classic country number, The Police put on the red light for Cezanne, Da Vinci meets Kate Bush on a moor and the longstanding confusion some might have with Monet and Manet won’t be helped by being mashed up in an Abba standard about cash.
The number which perhaps best sums up the experience of being
at a Harriet Braine show is her version of a Lou Reed classic in ‘Walk on the Mild Side’, penned for one of her contemporary art heroes, Grayson Perry. Clearly Harriet Braine is never going to have the coursing energy of a Bo Burnham but while she has a perfectly delightful act, there’s just that little something missing that could take her onto the next level. (Brian Donaldson) ■ Laughing Horse @ The Golf Tavern, until 27 Aug (not 14), 1.15pm, free.
ZACH & VIGGO Whimsical clowning and tomfoolery ●●●●● SCOTT GIBSON: LIKE FATHER LIKE SON Award-winner's sad family tale ●●●●●
Sexy dancing, flying baguettes and lots of dick jokes. This may sound fairly simple or run-of-the-mill for a comedy show, but Zach & Viggo are anything but your average double act. Back in town after a successful run in 2016, the American-Norwegian duo’s new show is packed with their familiar nonsensical sketches and improv, with characters ranging from a sketch artist to a hungry bird. Their whimsical brand of clown comedy has
already won over audiences around the world but here, they prove that they’ve mastered the art of anarchic silliness, delivering skits that platform their sleek partnership. It’s the contrast between Zach’s showmanship and Viggo’s eccentricities in particular that demonstrates their strength in spontaneity. The best moments arise as a result of some
unexpected audience banter and prop glitches, which work in their favour by emphasising the farcical nature of the whole affair. It may not make a heap of sense, as any kind of storyline takes a backseat to the pair’s puzzling tomfoolery. But that’s the point: they’re not asking you to understand. Instead, they’re hoping you’ll join them in their many goofy antics. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Underbelly Cowgate, until 27 Aug (not 16), 9.30pm, £10–£11 (£9–£10).
52 THE LIST FESTIVAL 10–17 Aug 2017
Scott Gibson’s show from 2016 about his brain aneurysm garnered him the Best Newcomer award. This year he turns his attention to his dad. Some people’s relationships with their fathers aren’t straightforward and Gibson’s is a classic case. As the comic and his partner consider having children, he’s worried about turning out like his father who left when Gibson was five. He remained absent for many of those intervening years but when he returns, the comic has to deal with him, and isn’t slow in telling us his feelings about all that.
Much of the opening section features Gibson the shouty Glaswegian, venting his incredulous anger at vegans and anyone born after 1984 (not entirely coincidentally the year in which he was born). The material about his weight gets a touch pedestrian in sections but he soon drops his red-faced tirade to display the softer, quieter storytelling Gibson as he relates his familial tale.
Comedically the best lines here are ostensibly the ones that cut closest to the bone but overall it’s an interesting exploration of a difficult and contradictory relationship. (Marissa Burgess) ■ Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 28 Aug, 3.45pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9).
JAYDE ADAMS IS JAYDED Classic outsider story with hilarious spin ●●●●●
There’s much to love about Jayde Adams, who thought she’d try stand-up after the death of her sister gave her a wake-up call. Looking like a cross between the Divine-inspired Ursula from The Little Mermaid and Adele (working as an Adele impersonator is on Adams’ long CV, as well as trying to be the ‘world’s fattest contemporary dancer’ and touring Spain as a drag queen’s assistant), the Bristolian has many hidden talents. A nominee for last year’s Best Newcomer award,
Adams struggled to fit in at school, but those years of rejection and binge-watching Edward Scissorhands are finally paying off. Not only has she rebooted herself as a proud lover of the Body Positive movement and full-fat Coke, she’s stopped being a doormat and apologising for her love of musicals.
It’s rare that a solo-woman duet from The Phantom of the Opera would count as a comedy highlight (an audience member is enlisted to point a fan in her face), but it’s one of many surprise skills she has (reciting films and lifting garden benches are others in the show). Jayde Adams has found an oddball niche with excellent underdog charm. More power to her strong, Spandex-wrapped arms. (Claire Sawers) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, until 28 Aug, 9.30pm, £8–£12 (£7–£11).