Following last year’s Women in Socks and Sandals, DON GNU bring us the male version.  It’s part of the splendid #DANISH portfolio of productions that includes the 5 star reviewed (on this site) Good Enough?

Whilst not quite reaching those lofty heights this is pure entertainment that will have universal appeal. DON GNU are DON (Jannik Elkær) and GNU (Kristoffer Louis Andrup Pedersen). They are joined by the larger and bearded El Mucho (Petras Lisauskas). Together the three deliver an hour of wordless clowning that starts outside the theatre on the steps of ZOO Southside, where the audience (too small for a show of this quality) are waiting for proceedings to begin.

They carry a single prop, a wooden scaffolding board, which is the mainstay of the first half hour of the show.

Remember Laurel and Hardy moving a piano? Remember them in a saw mill?  This is that, taken to extremes. The creativity they employ to maximise the physical potential of performing with a two metre plank of wood is extraordinary, very funny and highly engaging. There’s only one problem. Half an hour is a bit too long.

The show eventually moves on to a sketch with three yellow exercise balls that are used to very funny effect to continue and develop their mastery of physical clowning. It starts with a lovely mariachi stylee soundtrack of ‘Hotel California’, It too is perhaps a little too long, but it’s fantastic stuff.

By now DON and GNU are lathered with sweat in their blue silk shirts. The fake sweat patches that are sewn into their splendid suit costumes threaten to become real.

Sound effects are harmoniously blended into the clowning and the whole technical aspect of the show needs to be celebrateed.  It’s not an easy task and it’s delivered impeccably.

As the finale approaches the team’s socks are used to good effect in the genital area and the concluding tableaux of an angel in superman underpants, flanked by his semi-naked cherubs makes for a memorable conclusion.

This is inventive, funny and dextrous. It’s a grand old way to pass an hour in the wonderful ZOO southside.

M.I.S All Night Long is at Main House at ZOO Southside Sun 30 Aug 2026