Featuring what could potentially be the most well-produced programme in the history of the Fringe, David Kingsmill’s one-man show uses song and comic (in both senses) anecdotes to explain the trials and tribulations of being an everyday superhero. For starters, he technically can’t even call himself a superhero, as Marvel and DC Comics have a joint trademark on the term. There’s also all the mundane problems like sweating in lycra and simply going for a pee. His current irritation specific to the festival is the number of false alarms he’s getting for his superhero services due to the volume of actors around who are always up for playing a prank.
Kingsmill appears onstage in a unforgivingly tight onesy plus cape. This isn’t a role for a modest man, but Kingsmill appears to be brimming with confidence even if the audience is rather low in number and provide nervous giggles rather than raucous laughter. But it gets better; as the show develops you can’t help but warm to this strange mixture of character comedy and amusing ditty.
Kingsmill has a good voice, but it’s not outstanding. At times it felt like we were watching one of those bizarre X Factor auditions. I couldn’t figure out whether the backing pianist was pre-recorded or if Kingsmill had a keyboard hidden behind a curtain. If it was on tape, then kudos on the clarity of the recording.
Mr Millennium isn’t going to save the world, but he may have enough super power to raise a smile in this charming early evening show. And even if the performance doesn’t blow your super-socks off, the comic book programme is amazing.