‘Luke Kempner in Gritty Police Drama’ is a police whodunnit, the like of which you’ve almost certainly never experienced. Promising 60 impressions in 60 minutes is a highly ambitious target and one on which Kempner regularly updates the audience throughout the show – perhaps overusing ‘the fourth wall’.
We are treated to impressions diverse, perverse, and highly entertaining; from Mary Berry the prison guard, to a semi-clueless DI Louis Theroux, a bumbling Boris Johnson, and even Kermit the Frog. There is no faulting Kempner’s energy and gusto, but at times the show feels quite rushed and somewhat exhausting for both the protagonist and audience. Fewer impressions would allow greater character development without detracting from the fun.
Kempner is without doubt a very skilled mimic and most of his character acting and voices capture his intended personae in a few phrases, a shoulder shrug, a sideways glance or in Claudia Winkelman’s case a brush of her fringe. Jeremy Clarkson, Alan Carr, King Charles, the list goes on and on, as they are loosely and ever more obscurely incorporated into the unfolding drama.
The scenario is suitably bonkers, and very funny: a well-known celebrity has been murdered. Kempner, taking the guise of Ted Hastings from Line of Duty (great Northern Irish accent), guides the audience through a highly entertaining hour of investigation whilst striding about the stage in his police uniform.
Added to the long line of impressions, this show is also advertised as a one man musical and Kempner ably performs several songs in different guises, the most successful being ‘All I ask of you’ in which he gives his vocal chords a full work out, switching in and out of falsetto.
Many of the impersonations and comedic references are likely to be lost on a non-British audience, which is a shame given that the Edinburgh fringe is a truly global stage. However, if you know your British celebs – your Jürgen Klopp from your Harry Kane, this show will greatly appeal and the laughter rolls from the first minute.
‘Luke Kempner in Gritty Police Drama: A One-Man Musical’ runs until Sun 27 Aug 2023 at Pleasance Courtyard – Upstairs at 17:30