“Something Totally Different Blending a Multitude of Genres and Styles to Great Effect”
Reuben Solo brings his unique style of something that is not quite stand up, but not quite character comedy for a short run at this year’s Fringe. It is unique in its form, and that makes it all the more exciting to see.
The show follows two direct paths, one is an ode to Film Noir, as Solo attempts to figure out if an audience member will betray him; the second follows a sequence of crowd work, that bleeds into the Noir stylings, while also challenging Solo to deal with whatever is thrown to him by the audience. On the night I was there, the audience was quite muted, but that didn’t stop Solo. He found the gold in the crowd and was able to make it fun. The show is reliant on the crowd, and Solo will not stop until he bleeds the stone dry.
The show is very cleverly written, and does make you question the very reality of your situation. Solo is a clever performer, and very little is left to chance. He lets us peak behind the curtain of his planning in some moments, teasing us that he knew this would all happen. Then, in the next moment, utter pandemonium breaks loose, as it feels like he has lost control. Yet, there is an inkling that this show is so meticulously planned, that Solo has it all figured out, and every mishap or seemingly chaotic aside is just misdirection. The genius in this show is how it makes you distrust the very structure. Almost as if you are worried that someone in the crowd could betray you.
Alongside Solo, is his anarchic sound man, Casey Filips. A wonderful performer in his own right, Filips brings chaos in a variety of SFX that splinters the action and genuinely seems to take Solo by surprise (which could, admittedly, just be part of the act). The use of this SFX only adds to the show, building laughs and reacting brilliantly to what happens on stage. Credit where it is due to the lightning quick comedic timing of Filips, who can react quickly to add SFX that completes this show as a piece of theatrical stand up that won’t disappoint.
It is probably a show that is too clever for its own good. There are assured performances and brilliant set pieces. As you leave, you question it all, which is the highest credit that you can give Solo. A brilliant hour of comedy.
This show runs at Wine Bar at Gilded Balloon Teviot until 31st August. Tickets here.