It’s rare for a Fringe stand-up show to devote a significant stretch of time to the correct pronunciation of Kettering Town F.C.’s terrace chants. It’s rarer still to see it re-worked in the manner of ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’. It’s a minor miracle that James Acaster manages to weave such moments of daring, invention, and flat out silliness into an hour of such confidence, poise, and flair.
With a strong onstage personality and a delivery simultaneously louche, authoritative, and reminiscent of Dudley Moore, Acaster links together a fluid series of sharp observations, well-paced storytelling, and strong gags. Many similar standup shows too often feel like a compilation of five-minute bits; what impresses most about Acaster is the consistency with which he walks a tightrope between off-kilter surrealism and a wry ease. From sharing the extent of his recent ‘Bread Research’ with the audience to a strangely tender monologue from the perspective of a duck, Acaster displays a piercing intelligence and eye for detail behind a deceptively laid-back tone.
There are a few moments where an idea is prioritised over a joke, which can sometimes slow the pace down. However, these in a way are key to what makes Acaster such a thrilling, magnetic stage presence. His show crams in the energy and effervescence of a high-concept show within the simple formula of one man and a mic. With this kind of understated skill shown in his preview show, an hour in the company of James Acaster could develop into a Fringe sleeper hit.
