The laughs continue

THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE
Having seen two previews of this show, I was very much looking forward to it, and it didn't disappoint. That said, don't go in expecting unbridled, constant hilarity. This is a show with considerable quiet moments, and lots of build up, but the sight gags, when they come, are uniformly strong. It's also a show that's heavily dependent on its audience - if you don't throw yourself into it 100% you won't get a lot out of it. Kiwi performer Sam Wills is an enigmatic, deranged presence, at whose urgings audience members help create musical mayhem and surreal, expressionistic mime. A word of caution though - if you don't like shows where performers pick on the audience - albeit, in this instance, in a good-natured and collaborative way - this is not the show for you.
Three and half quizzical hoots of mirth out of five.


ROD QUANTOCK - 2050 AD The Musical
In his usual endearing, slightly flustered way, national comic treasure Rod Quantock presents an arry of information about how our current lifestyles are killing the future: oil shortages, water shortages, and what they mean for the coming decades. Some chaotic use of IT equipment - cameras, graphs and websites - rather than his usual whiteboards and butcher's paper displays - appropriately in keeping with the theme of his show, which is futurism - often as seen from the past, ie outmoded views of how we'd live as seen from 1948 - sadly, we're still waiting for those personal jetpacks we were promised... A slightly depressing yet delightful show that provoked regular laughs and constant grins.
Three slightly nervous laughs out of five.


GERALDINE QUINN - Dumb Things
There's much less music than I've come to expect from Ms Quinn and a lot more stand-up in her new show, which is essentially an exploration of gaffes and blunders, from asking random old people to be a grandparent, to reading 19th century literature aloud on the tram. Some excellent stories and strong delivery, but just a bit too much bogan-bashing for my tastes.
Three chuckles out of five.