Showing @ The Stand III & IV, Edinburgh until Mon 25 Aug @ times vary
The surprising thing, when seeing a recognisable face in the flesh, is how different their appearance can feel, compared to what might have been glimpsed on a much smaller screen. In the case of Tony Law, he resembles nothing so much as a kinder Lord Flasheart – most definitely the Blackadder IV era, not Blackadder II.
It might be the fantastic mop of blonde hair and the boundless confidence, but it’s also the wonderfully versatile voice. Law hops through a range of accents with the kind of bounce usually found in the works of A. A. Milne. He’s more physically present than many other comedians. The comedy isn’t physical as such, but there’s a greater use of his body, of movement and the gleeful distraction of a 44-year-old man wearing a black body-stocking with tiny sewn-on scarves.
As for the show itself, glorious silliness would be an excellent summary. Some parts miss, and feel wacky for the sake of spectacle, but this is less common than the reverse. The best parts come from Law’s personal anecdotes – the death of Cartridge Davidson, star of former stand-up shows and beloved pet sausage dog, is told with warmth and absurdity – and prove far more effective than talking to audience members who supposedly stood at his side, fighting for Genghis Khan/the Vikings/the dinosaurs.
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