An unpredictable and chaotic troupe of nonsensical showmen, the Bad Clowns have returned to the Fringe with ‘HOSTAGE’ As the two leading men get ready to perform an ambitious, groundbreaking new drama for the crowd, the show’s original writer interrupts and takes them all hostage. Proving that the pen is mightier than the sword but puny compared to a bright blue hand cannon, the show descends into pure, joyful chaos full of laughter and a keen inventive, improvisational flair.

‘HOSTAGE’ punishes anyone sitting in the front row with heavy involvement in the show and envelops everyone else in a somewhat maniacal comedic air. The plot twists, ranging from undercover policemen to hastily assembled fictious backstories, are suitably ludircous. They are dwarfed however by the delightfully over the top performances (particuarly that of John, whose turn as a hotel room door somehow manages to steal the scene from under Christian and Sam’s noses). This is not a show that rewards tranqulity, but a performance that increasingly slips into unmanaged improv chaos of an especially delightful variety.

The humour is lewd, the set is crude, and the manners just rude. But underneath the riotous action lurks a well-rehearsed and practiced awareness of what makes improv tick. The pace never drops, and no matter what the audience suggest (or how woefully misunderstood it is) the Bad Clowns incorporate it into the show effortlessly. It is a sign of intelligent planning and writing that they seem ready for even the least likely of suggestions, bewildered only by the most specific of examples. Additionally, ‘HOSTAGE’ doesn’t lack in self-awareness and is never shy from poking fun at itself, which keeps the atmosphere suitably jovial for a production of this level of buffoonery.

A riot all the way through and complete with some rip-roaring gags, nothing can quite prepare you for Bad Clowns: ‘HOSTAGE’. You may just be overwhelmed by the apparent lack of direction and minimal mercy for the crowd, but nonetheless you will struggle to wipe the smile off your face by the time these three idiosyncratic clowns have their way with you.

‘HOSTAGE!‘ is at Gilded Balloon Patter House – Nip until Mon 26 Aug (except Mon 12) at 19:00