Note: This review is from the 2013 Fringe

Showing @ Summerhall, Edinburgh until Sun 25 Aug @ 13:45

Jack Klaff has nothing on his mind. Literally. Out to Lunch is all about the idea of filling empty spaces. It’s about physical hunger but it is also about spiritual and cultural hunger, and the ability of art and theatre to fill gaps as well. Strictly speaking, Out to Lunch is a monologue, yet it is full of rapid-fire dialogue which takes place between pairs and groups of people. Klaff is himself, but he is also a black friend from his childhood days in Apartheid-ruled South Africa, he is an Austrian drama teacher, a Belgian aid worker and more.

Much of the conversation is a stream-of-consciousness conversation about the African continent, the often-misplaced attempt at aid and its ramifications and whether there’s anything the First World can usefully do to help, all woven through with colourful memories and anecdotes which range from darkly humourous to downright depressing. Klaff is a dynamic raconteur who manages to fill the vast space with the sheer force of his personality and hold his audience spellbound. Out to Lunch proves a perfect feast for anyone hungry for food for thought.