Comedy review: Ross Noble: El Hablador, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Ross Noble: El Hablador, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh ***
Playing for time, he conjures some lovely whimsy about the banning of continental phenomenon, with a blasé French hippopotamus reclining on a chaise longue.
Still, he appreciates that he has to address such interruptions convincingly, no matter how random and aggressive. And his second half particularly is masterful, not only in keeping so many audience-hurled plates spinning, but ultimately guiding them safely back to the ground.
Advertisement
Hide AdUnquestionably, the stakes seem higher nowadays. When he touches on transgender issues, he tiptoes softly, stressing his attempts to be politically correct, aware that a stray off-the-cuff remark could potentially land him in hot water.
Rather than allowing himself to be inhibited though, he accepts the challenge. Riffing on African accents, “lesbian tunnels” and even “midgets”, falling over himself to be respectful, he’s still mocking of excessive sensitivity, all the while indulging his flights of fantasy, the context of the room and moment everything.
Regrettably, additional audience interjections prevent him finishing on his planned big laugh. And he needs to extend his set to regain momentum, making the show feel slightly too long, proving that you can have too much of a good thing. - Jay Richardson