 |
Rowan Atkinson is a marvel of physical, scatological, and intellectual humor, a combination virtually unknown in the world today. This stage show is not generally a rehashing of things seen before (although "It Started With A Sneeze" is taken directly from an episode of "Mr. Bean") but is a unique and original group of works designed to highlight all of Atkinson's amazing comedic talents.
My favorite of the skits is "A Warm Welcome" in which Atkinson plays the Devil ("...but you can call me 'Toby'...") welcoming new arrivals. The best line (and the one that got the most laughs) in the show is when he summons "the French" out for special treatment. I am also fond of the amazing physical dexterity involved in "Invisible Man" and "A Final Bash". He is always great as a sadistic straight man, and his portrayal in "Fatal Beatings" is delightful. He returns as another evil headmaster in "No One Called Jones" which also shows his ability to handle more scatological humor with dexterity. For all around amusement, his portrayal as a hammy amateur actor in "Pink Tights And Lots Of Props" is delightful, and went over hugely well in front of a college audience, as you might expect.
Five stars without question, although there are a few off color and offensive excesses I could have done without. Noteworthy also is the performance by Angus Deayton, the straight man in the two man sketches. This is a comic tour-de-force, and is not to be missed.
Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars!] |
|
|
