Say what you like about the show, the title doesn’t attempt to mislead you. Noizeyman is deafeningly loud. As Winslow produces a staggering series of noises, accents, impersonations and screeches, the soundman may as well have whacked all the levels on full and gone to the pub. Notably, as he provided the sound for a silent video of the Rancor battle scene from Star Wars, the sounds of stomping and screeching were physically overwhelming, bass rattling through my chest, the treble threatening to burst an eardrum. It’s easy categorising to refer to Winslow as a beatboxer, but at his best he operates on a whole different scale.
The Rancor soundtracking illustrates what’s best about Winslow’s astonishing talent and what holds the show back from true greatness. With all the levels pushed up into the red, the levels of vocal invention on show get lost in a full-scale wave of noise. That’s what the show can sometimes feel like – a series of noises without much structure. Incredible noises, but not held together tightly. However, it’s not much of a problem as Winslow is a consummate showman. Whether turning the dials between stations on an imaginary radio, delivering a perfect Snoop Dogg impression, or unleashing his roaring rendition of Whole Lotta Love, Winslow is capable of producing a range of sounds you’ll be hard-pushed to find elsewhere.
However, some routines verge on karaoke territory, specifically two Tina Turner and Louis Armstrong renditions. Fortunately, his skill is such that the audience are behind him all the way. With his bulging eyes and striking physicality he has a considerable presence, which combined with his voice offers an experience like no other.
