The sell-out comedy runs away to the circus! See the very best magicians, jugglers and contortionists as you’ve never seen them before (unless you’ve been very lucky). Raw and uncensored. They’re also not wearing clothes. Join host Paul Savage and a revolving line up of brilliant comedians letting it all hang out. That is not a metaphor.
Review by Richard Lambert
Paul Savage hosts a late-night cabaret featuring performers already appearing at the Fringe, with the added twist that they’re naked. And, to be honest, it makes a nice change to have some proper bohemian hedonistic fun at the Fringe rather than performers doing “vitally important” or “re-imagined” and overly-sanitised.
The evening opens with Paul Savage as MC, setting the tone before Sister Brandy Bex appears in a wig, high heels and nothing else, gives some banter, and sings a very funny welcome song about the challenges of dealing with some personal things working as a nurse in a hospital. It’s a strong start and immediately tells you what sort of evening this is going to be.
Claire Million brings the hula hooping, while Athena Pepe provides the comedy. Grace Mezak, performing as “Sunshine”, delivers an inventive burlesque routine where you imagine the cape, fathers and gloves coming off by her miming since she’s already naked. With several female burlesque performers at the Fringe, it was good to see some of the male performers getting involved too.
Chris Cook is a standout. He’s a great magician and raconteur, and watching him work while completely naked adds another level of difficulty to some of the tricks. I always think I’ve seen every trick a magician can do, but having a box of playing cards materialise in his hands while he’s naked had me properly baffled. I was left squinting at him on stage trying to work out how he’d done it — while envious at his obvious talent!!!
Krystal Amber, billed as “Best Thing in the World Ever”, brings another big character to the mix. I think she was channeling an upside-down crab who liked to eat bananas – the crab being in an acting class channeling a dying fly routine. But it was hard to be sure what I actually saw if I’m honest.
The whole show benefits from having a cast who are clearly up for the spirit of the evening. My throat was sore from laughing – not from any bananas, nor sadly from any other tricks Chris Cook might have had up his sleeve had he been wearing any.
The Big Naked Variety Show isn’t trying to be anything other than a late-night cabaret where performers can let loose and have fun. It does exactly that. If you’re looking for something a bit naughty, very silly and not remotely sanitised, this is one to catch.