Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

Jacob Aldcroft: The Day I Got the Horn

 
Isabella Thompson Review by Isabella Thompson 5 Published: 8 Aug 2025 Gilded Balloon Patter House Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-25 Aug 2025

Jacob Aldcroft’s The Day I Got The Horn is a riotous, surreal odyssey through madness and the slow unraveling of a man named John Binjuice, the last human standing in a world overrun by rhinoceroses. Eugène Ionesco’s Rhinoceros meets Rick and Morty in this clown-meets-character-comedy show at its most unhinged and unexpectedly tender.

Hysterically funny, feral and full of feeling. Beautifully bizarre.

Aldcroft barrels onto the stage, out of breath and fresh from a shop run to escape the rhino apocalypse, and we’re suddenly dropped into a topsy-turvy world in which he is fully immersed. Whether scaling a mimed rooftop in a three-stage ritual, handing out vodka, or reliving traumatic moments from his past, Aldcroft crafts a performance world ruled by nonsense, anxiety, and incredible comic timing.

His clowning prowess lies in the rhythm of his repetition, the care with which he handles the audience, and his earnest sincerity in the face of the utterly absurd. He also strips back the chaos to let us see the inner workings of the madness in a standout moment of meta-theatre. It’s humble and emotionally grounding: a brilliant beat of quiet in the chaos. In the culminating chapter, as the rhinos close in and force John to grow a horn, Aldcroft creates both an emotional and physical crescendo. The resolution, both tender and uplifting, is the perfect whimsical antidote.

He deserves a standing ovation for his unwavering dedication and the unbridled joy he brings to the room. Aldcroft not only plays at the highest level but also draws us into his infectious world of mischief, leaving us grinning from ear to ear. This is the true heart of clowning, and he embodies it completely.

The Day I Got The Horn is as ridiculous as it is clever, and Aldcroft proves himself a magnetic, generous, and deeply original performer. This show is what the Fringe is all about. Your face will hurt from laughing. Your heart might ache a little, too. Hysterically funny, feral, and full of feeling. Beautifully bizarre.

Related to this article:

Location:

Performances

The Blurb:

John Binjuice lived a quiet life, until everyone in his town suddenly transformed into terrifying beasts. With horns. Big, scary horns. John has, so far, resisted the horn. How long can his humanity last? A riotous solo clown show from Jacob Aldcroft – 'He has funny legs' (Philippe Gaulier) – watch as John attempts to save all humanity through lots of shouting, running and jumping, song, dance and stunning amounts of vodka. Prepare to laugh (a lot), cry (a bit) and pee (your pants).