Comedy is a fickle flower – everyone has their own tastes. While some may bust their guts at every genitalia joke, others will prefer politically charged satire. This is why each comedian must acknowledge their target audience, and play to their heartstrings. Such is the case with Paul Foot. His particular brand of humour has etched him comfortably into a niche market for those who enjoy a healthy serving of childishness in their comedy. Much like Rowan Atkinson did with his Mr. Bean character, Foot launches into his stumbling buffoonery wholeheartedly.
But it is here that the unsuspecting crowd will split. For those unwilling (or more likely unable) to track down the rabbit hole of stories about Tiger Prawn Raviolo, a vulgar homophobic woman, and a betting scenario involving the Hindu gods, the Hovercraft Symphony in Gammon # Major will surely be a few too many movements long.
However, if you, like a large portion of those in attendance, prefer your comedy to dwell in a realm of fantasy that does not require connection to real life, and instead frolics in the acknowledgement that it’s all just silliness for silliness sake, then Paul Foot is your comedian. With gyrating hips, spasmodic leg kicks, and a head banging frock of golden locks that would make Dee Snider jealous, Foot’s performance will have you twisting and turning through his roller coaster packed hour of outlandish scenarios, unlikeable characters and slapstick humour.
Paul Foot may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but at the end of the night you can confidently say there is no other show quite like his…and as a bonus, you’ll finally know the proper etiquette for consuming a Scotch Finger biscuit during an S&M orgy.
BY JUSTIN WATTS
