2011 Edinburgh Fringe
Paul Foot review
A middle aged man in a suit sat right on the front row: as Paul Foot began, a look of disbelievement started to cross his face and he began shaking his head. The man became more and more restless, as did his family alarmed at his discomfort, until finally he left. This show was not for the man in the suit. It may not be for you if you're expecting comedy like you've ever seen it before. This stuff is truly alternative, and the show was quite simply one of the best I've ever seen in Edinburgh over the past few years.
Foot has so much gumption and nerve it is simply beyond words. It feels dangerous and exciting watching Foot in a live environment, as you really do get the sense anything could happen. Foot prowls the audience, which works excellently with the layout of the Belly Dancer room, in that he's still able to keep the whole audience eating out of his hands.
Spend an hour with Foot and you can begin to realise the depths of thought that can go into a surrealist show of this kind. Along with honed deconstruction are some of the most hilarious lines and set routines you're going to find on the Edinburgh Fringe. The show is superbly structured, taking the audience on an extreme journey through waves of fantasy. It builds so satisfyingly over the course of the hour, that when the ending comes it's one of the most satisfying climaxes to a stand-up show you could see.
I marvel at any comedian who is able to capture an audience even when not using the English language. Foot masterfully incorporates the audience within his act, but these are the only moments when you can see the show might flag. But it is credit to Foot as a performer that he is able to pick things up, and return the room to his full control in no time.
A brilliant performer, with an expertly crafted set, I left the room with a sense I'd experienced something incredibly special. I don't think you could ask for much more. True alternative comedy at it's very best.