The Last Living Libertine isn’t presented as a straightforward stand-up set, but more of history seminar. Tothill repeatedly reminds us of his aims for the lecture – to explore a British history of religion and its significance today – but is also repeatedly ‘distracted’ with passing thoughts, observations about the audience, and tangential stories.
Beginning by establishing his role as a teacher, Tothill gives us amusing anecdotes about his life beyond performance as a primary teacher in a Catholic school and some of the ‘angels’ he works with, including one terrifying child who he believes has the ability to curse people. Even in his teaching job, he tells us, he finds himself relying on historical figures, referencing them to help discipline young people, from Jesus to Florence Nightingale.
Tothill is warm and engaging and one of his key techniques for getting us onside is unadulterated and unabashed flattery. It works. He cleverly plays with the crowd, chatting familiarly with us and getting to know various members by name (which he proceeds to toy with) and his off-the-cuff quips are usually just as clever as his rehearsed punchlines. In fact, the entire show is carefully constructed to feel like a digression, every so often reigning things in and getting back to ‘the point’. The lesson-gone-awry conceit is a fun format and allows Tothill to adopt and maintain his exaggerated persona for the entire evening.
The show is a tightly prepared hour and Tothill’s imagination and knack for structure is admirable. Perhaps there are two or three segments that could benefit from even more regular gags, but his endearing presentation carries us through. We even leave feeling just a little more educated.
‘The Last Living Libertine’ runs until Sun 27 Aug 2023 at Pleasance Courtyard at 20:30