Almost every review of Spencer Jones takes the lazy route of saying he’s like Mr Bean meets something/someone wacky. The issue is, Mr Bean is just pale imitation of Jacques Tati’s character Mr Hullo. No, The Herbert (Spencer Jones’ alter-ego) is something much more interesting, unique, and original.
It took me a while to warm to this show but now I can’t seem to stop thinking about it
It’s a difficult show to describe and it’s one that has to be seen to be believed, but I’ve got another 229 words to go so I’ll try my best . It’s an hour of surreal physical comedy, with lots of bizarre props and some beatboxing. There is also some great one liners lurking in the background as well.
The show has its own internal logic and rhythm. Some people might get on board right away, for others it might take a while for Jones’s unique brand of bizarre to take hold. But it is undeniable, you're not going to see anything else like this on the fringe. Well unless you go see his other show I suppose.
Props feature heavily throughout the show and their homemade look gives them great appeal. I imagine many people will go home and try to recreate a whole bunch of them to jazz up cleaning the floor. The eyes are especially are an especially good recurring joke and theme.
Like all good surreal humour there is a dark streak hiding lurking the shadows throughout the show, it serves to unease and lend an unpredictable nature. On a surface level it just seems like harmless fun but delve deeper and it’s the tale of a character unloved and chastised by those around him.
It took me a while to warm to this show but now I can’t seem to stop thinking about it, I’m sure this will reflect how many of the audience members will feel. I find it hard to imagine you’ll see any better physical comedy this Fringe.
