Comedy: Feminism for Chaps: Andrew Watts

It isn't fashionable to be a feminist, least of all a male feminist. At least female feminists only have to worry about Jeremy Clarkson fans dismissing them. Male feminists, well, apparently they are hated by the feminists too.

I went to this fully expecting an hour of 'hey, guys, tell her her bum doesn't look big in that! Hahahaha!' such was my prejudice when I read the blurb. I honestly thought I was going to be in for an hour of thinly veiled misogyny dressed up as comedy. To my delight, I was wrong.

This was a genuinely funny, cerebral bit of stand up that addressed real issues of inequality at its roots. Starting off with a mild anecdotal, but charming method of how to behave when a woman asks you about her clothing and going on to cover childbirth, stay at home dad stereotypes,  feminist porn and feminist sex parties, Watts covered many points of significance in a witty and open way. Whilst it isn't always a laugh out loud set, it is funny and raises some important issues about how we all conform to gender stereotypes, a possible factor that hinders the advancement of equality between the sexes.

Interestingly the only heckles came from the women in the room and given the nature of their objections (Namely that strip clubs are fine. I think. Or maybe they objected to men being refused entry to one for wearing trainers. I don't know) I was left feeling a bit depressed that we really have got a long way to go in terms of equality.

By his own admission, it was raw material and I think it's only going to get better. I recommend you look out for Andrew Watts. If you don't think you can stomach stand up comedy about feminism, try thinking of it as just common sense.

4/5 - He's in the quadrant quite frequently so go if you can

Lex Moon 

Theatre: Northern Stage: Catch 22

Frequently cited as one of the greatest books of the 20^th century, a book of great international acclaim, a book of satirical genius, a book... that we have not read. Possessing only a vague understanding of the bemusing catch-22 situation, we feared that this adaptation was going to be beyond us. However, faced with such an atmospheric and impressive set we decided to forget all that and let the madness rule.

The combination of an imposing set, colourful lighting, and versatile cast, effectively creates a nightmare in wonderland, where logic is not truth and paradox enslaves. Jitterbug dancing and fixed smiling faces wonderfully convey the theme of madness and deepen the feeling of Yossarian’s despair as the inescapable carousel of horror revolves.

The dialogue is snappy and the energy is consistent throughout. However, the moments of high drama were lost on the audience as starting on such high energy levels left the action nowhere to go. The women have thankless roles, although Liz Kettle and Victoria Berwick showed great stage presence and added to the dynamic gloriously.

Outstanding performances from David Webber as the likeable but flaky Major and Michael Hodgson as the stark raving Colonel Cathcart really made this show a success, adding humour and horror in equal measures.

Although set at the end of World War II, director Rachel Chavkin inserts elements of the Vietnam war. Given the retrospective opinions of many wars of the 20^th century, these insertions serve to enhance the message that this narrative of corruption, ambition and madness are relevant in any setting of war.

Don't be put off from seeing this if you haven't read the book. Chavkin has created a surreal and slick production that is well worth a look.

3/5

Lex Moon and Sophie Archer

Comedy: Alexis Dubus: Cars and Girls

Public utterances of spoken verse and poetry can be cringe-worthy affairs. Spoken verse and poetry under a title that could have been fashioned by Jeremy Clarkson, conjures the anticipation of an evening of nails on a blackboard. However, we are quite rightly told not to judge a book by its cover and so too, don't judge a performance by its title.

Perfectly suited to the intimate venue of upstairs at the Three and Ten, Dubus treated us to a delightful slice of his mid to late twenties; recounting his travel travels of hitching with crazy truckers and driving a beaten up motor home through the deserts of Nevada.

It took Dubus a short while to get into the swing of his act, but once there, the audience were treated to colourful characters, complete with accents and movements that had laughter rippling through the room.  By the end of a thoroughly entertaining hour, Dubus had the audience in the palm of his well-travelled hand.

A show soon due to arrive on the stages of Edinburgh, you would be a fool to pass up the chance to go and see this light-hearted, well-crafted, innovative comedy. I'm not convinced the title was the most apt, but this is a minor point given such a strong performance by a highly talented and exuberant young man.

4/5 - You can catch Alexis Dubus in Edinburgh at The Stand V, July 31st - August 24th at 3 p.m.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/spoken-word/alexis-dubus-cars-and-girls

Lex Moon and Sophie Archer

Comedy: What the Hell: The Gastronomical Comedy

A tragic comedy concerning someone who is trying to follow their dreams whilst living up to the expectations of others. With touching monologues and a full on cookery lesson, 'What the Hell' follows the story of Dante, an Italian actor, who has come to pursue his career in London, claiming that art in Italy is dead. Spattered with references to Dantés inferno this was a laugh-a-minute piece with a sincere message to anyone who has taken the road less travelled. 

Gian Sessergo plays Dante with an energy that projects the narrative of this madcap tale at 100 miles an hour. To a great extent he is playing the straight man to the array of wonderfully cliché, eccentric and larger than life characters, played by Louise Lee and Jud Charlton, who beautifully support and add much of the humour to this piece.

Due to a short rehearsal period this production is a little rough around the edges, but all the ingredients are there for a great piece of theatre.

3/5 - Madcap comedy at it's grassroots

Lex Moon

Comedy: That Funny Blind Guy 2: Jamie MacDonald

Jamie MacDonald's follow up to his solo show at last year's Edinburgh Fringe. 

With a title like that I was expecting a string of jokes centred around MacDonald's visual impairment. Not so. In fact I forgot he was visually impaired until it came up in an amusing anecdote about a Groupon holiday. 

MacDonald seems to have hit on that winning comedy formula which is to talk about things we can all relate to on some level. Whether it's the Jager bomb drinking ex or the horror of holidays and weddings, MacDonald tackles them with his combination of sharp wit and frankness. 

If you happen to be in Edinburgh this year for the fringe then you could do a lot worse than catching That Funny Blind Guy 2. MacDonald had us laughing from the start and engaged throughout. Hopefully he will grace the studio theatres of Brighton again soon

3/5

Hear the full set of reviews
http://www.mixcloud.com/Brightonmoon/new-innocent-faces-and-libel-cases/

Lex Moon 

Theatre: Pretty Villain Productions Ltd: The Crucible

A promenade production of Arthur Miller's 1953 famed work, which offers a true Puritan discomfort experience.Whatever concept the promenade approach was intended to convey, it was a novelty factor that added little more than back-pain, induced from prolonged and unnecessary standing throughout the first act. The essential walking element of promenade was eliminated as audience members stood like statues, fearful that the creak of floorboards would disturb the reception of bad accented mumbles delivered through terrible acoustics. Whilst being seated in the second act it struck me that this performance would have been much better suited to the round.

The cast, undecided as to what side of the Atlantic they resided on, gave performances that failed to generate the atmosphere of paranoia, fear and tension that this classic is absolutely dependent on in order to create enjoyable viewing.

With a well-established reputation, I hope that the Pretty Villain Productions company reflect and come bouncing back in the near future.

1.5/5 - You cannot enjoy something that you cannot hear 


Hear the full set of reviews:
http://www.mixcloud.com/Brightonmoon/think-inside-the-box/

Sophie Archer 

AndOn Theatre Company: Bits and Box

Bored? Take one cardboard box. What more do you need? Brought to us by the creative writing genius of AndOn Theatre Company is a production that will take you on a nostalgic journey through the realm of childhood imagination.

With jumps, rotation, folding and shifting, a simple cardboard box is transformed from one object to the next through a flickbook of wider worlds. No one is left behind in this seamless production as we follow through caves, down wells, to the moon and beyond! 

Fully suited in the costumes of actors Joshua Mathieson and Ray Hunwicks, an all star cast consisting of Sean Connery, Andy Murray, Blue Peter presenters, St George and the Dragon gave fantastic performances. The Box was particularly spectacular in playing a tough variety of roles ranging from a train to a tennis net, reminding us of a message so beautiful in its simplicity: ‘life is short, play more’. 

This production is a must see for all and I eagerly await the next production by this highly talented, young and fresh theatre company.

4/5 - Absolute must see
Check out their website for details of their up and coming production: Game
http://www.andontheatre.com/

Hear the full set of reviews:
http://www.mixcloud.com/Brightonmoon/think-inside-the-box/

Sophie Archer 

Rick Kiesewetter- No More Mr Rice Guy

Venue - Laughing Horse @ Temple Bar, Brighton


I'm not sure what could be worse for a stand up comic. The raucous, beer addled one-in-the-morning  crowd that you'd find in Edinburgh's Lizard Lounge or the or the painfully sober, just-finished-work, slightly prudish but polite group of Brightonians at six in the evening. 

Advertised as a work in progress, parts of this act seemed a lot more polished than others. Kiesewetter has a varied background. He's American, Asian and English, married to a French woman, basically, he's from everywhere which gives him pretty much free rein to make jokes about whoever he wants. It also means that his comedic style is from , well,  everywhere. There's the subtler witticisms beloved by so many Brits which lull you into a false sense of security when Kiesewetter pulls the slightly cruder American style of comedy. there's something for everyone in that respect. 

I was uncomfortable with his frequent jokes about Asians, That might be because either I'm too much of a bleeding heart lefty or maybe I don' feel it's OK to laugh at an ethnic group that is still subject to a great deal of racism in the UK. That said, I don't see many Asian stand up comics so as Kiesewetter puts it himself, perhaps it's time we started addressing this more openly?

By his own admission, he's not Russell Brand or that other skinny blond one that's on all the panel shows and I liked that he is unapologetic about his style. I'd be interested to see how this looks by the time it gets to Edinburgh. With the right crowd I think this act is going to be good

3/5 - Definitely worth a look
He's back in Brighton on May 30th May 6 p.m. at the same venue. 

Hear the full set of reviews:
http://www.mixcloud.com/Brightonmoon/new-innocent-faces-and-libel-cases/


Review from 
Lex Moon