Many people boast about staring death in the face and laughing, but Chris Turner has a different perspective. The lanky comedian had a good look at the grim reaper ten years ago and it set him on the path to making other people laugh. He’s become very good at it, as this excellent show proves.
A show that's full of music, laughter and a few moments that make you think about what is important in life.
Twenty-five is the name of the act and 25 is the age that a doctor predicted that Turner would die. The story of that incident lies at the heart of this consistently funny show, but surrounding this often powerful tale are other snippets from the comedian’s life as well as a showcase of his undoubted talents as a freestyle rapper.
Turner’s ability to craft witty intricate rhymes is in evidence early during an intelligent and sharply-phrased beat poem about his new love. This mastery of sharp-witted wordplay also shines through in many of his often hilarious stories, jokes and puns which cover a range of topics from muggings to the questionable classroom games of adolescent boys.
While the scripted material is uniformly strong it is the two freestyle rapping sections of the show that Turner really shines. Rap is the medium that the comedian latched onto as a young man facing a shortened existence and he proves that he is an expert.
In his first effort he drops lines based on some of the more unusual things found in people’s pockets, and then later on ups his game with more in-depth examinations of topics called out at random. The execution of these segments is first-rate and Turner proves that he is incredibly quick on his feet devising set-ups and punchlines in lightning quick time – all delivered in a flow which barely falters.
Turner is an undoubtedly talented, intelligent performer and he's created a show that's full of music, laughter and a few moments that make you think about what is important in life.
