Monday, 30 September 2013

WTF Comedy

Some things defy explanation or description.
Dr. Prof. Neal Portenza is one.
This clown of a man (portrayed by the very talented Josh Ladgrove - see my other review) takes to the stage wearing blue eyeliner and rouge and dressed in what appears to be a surgical gown over which is a lab coat, a red beret perched atop his hirsute head.
'Love Muffins' at the Tuxedo Cat on Wills Street is a selection of 'the best bits' from previous shows and includes multiple-choice interactive quizzes, Sean Connery, Fishboy, Irn Bru, self-defence classes and the return of the fearsome Gary Portenza - Neal's evil twin.
The whole event culminates in a participatory moment of joyfully mad chaos that has everyone in the room throwing stress balls everywhere.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this show and laughed ourselves silly - although, we have absolutely no idea why...
Portenza as a character is bumbling idiot of a man with long hair and beard and a childlike innocence which encourages the audience to just go along with his stupidly mad schemes. It takes a lot of hard work to make something look this seemingly shambolic and it pays-off in spades.
If you can't afford or don't trust LSD, this show is possibly the closest to a trippy experience you are likely to get for very little money.
'Love Muffins' is playing until the end of the Melbourn Fringe.

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