If I were writing this review at the end of the Fringe, I would be gushing about another stormer for Ben Target. But here in the first week, there's still quite a way to go.
The opening 15 or 20 minutes do show off some of the Target madness and irreverence that entertained audiences when he was last at the Fringe two years ago. The opening song, performed with the help of his technician, Alwyn, displays that Target has not lost any of his that creepy, idiosyncratic charm and there are a number of audience participation gags which work a treat.
There are elements which will, I'm certain, be cut out by the end of the month (or maybe not – Target admits he may leave some of the less successful bits in just for the challenge). A lecture about Target's family tree drags a bit and some routines do feel like filler. That being said, Target still has a quick, sharp mind and wit that adds an element of surprise and uncertainty to his show. He openly allows, even encourages, audience members to get involved in his show and he always has a funny retort to hand from a seemingly infinite cache of jokes.
It’s possible that, if I were writing this review at the end of the Fringe, I would be gushing about another stormer for Ben Target. But here in the first week, there's still quite a way to go.
