Wearing a kilt, a red stripy top and a pair of gold earrings, the bearded Martin ‘Bigpig’ Mor somehow made me think of a Scottish pirate in a children’s storybook. In a way, it is hard to describe this show, which relies so much on the cartoonish like personality of Mor, but it is perhaps best summed up by describing it as a series of simple tricks which require much audience participation. Mor invited a succession of volunteers, old and young, on stage to help him with his acts of juggling, balancing or spinning. Somehow he managed to make something like spinning a ball on his finger or juggling with three balls into spectacles, all through the talent of his showmanship.
There was very much a touch of street performer about the whole show, seen in the way he hooked in his audience and the rapport that he had with various audience members. His first act was to improve on his introduction, getting the audience to cheer and release party-poppers and balloons, while one poor dad had the task of introducing Mor through the medium of rap. This ten minute performance certainly managed to get the crowd involved and excited but he soon channeled this enthusiasm in getting them to sit calmly and watch the show. However, it does feel an oddly disproportionate time to spend on an introduction, especially considering that the entire show lasted no longer than 35 minutes. The show definitely could have afforded to be a little bit longer; it feels like he had just worked up the crowd into the right mood when suddenly he stopped. Despite its brevity though, this man and his beard makes for a charismatic and engaging show.
