The philosopher of comedy Henri Bergson once noted that it was Mankind's lack of elasticity in the face of the ominous laws of nature that prompted humour. This idea seems particularly striking when one considers the face of Alan Power, co-director and writer of The Comeback, whose earnest mug seems capable of expressing great innocence, anxiety and joy, all within the same, dappy grimace. It takes a little while to warm to the antics of Eddie (Power) and Larry (director Simon Jenkins) at the show's beginning, but before long Tony Blair puppets, crazy chefs called Brian and dancing ninjas inspire a great deal of mirth. A play that bases much of its humour in preposterous lines and physical embarrassment, The Comeback feels right because for all its outrageousness and brass it makes room for the awkwardness and the cringe-worthy moments of life. Yet its soul is pure silliness; its cast are quite obviously a few croissants short of a picnic; and its motive is not to satirise or polemicize, but just to be an utter wazzock in front of a cackling audience.
Special mention must also go to the versatility of supporting actors Martin Atkinson, Dan Bennett and Sophie Cook, who play various ridiculous roles and also to Billy Humphries as the gruff but sensitive super villian, Dr. Durbfield. A little criticism must be made of the play's overuse of certain themes, such as homosexual anxiety, but all in all, The Comeback is most definitely a show that is worth coming back to again.
