With no entry price and the guarantee of broadening your horizons, it is most definitely worth catching.
The show begins with a ukelele number familiarising the audience with a brief snippet of Ancient Greek thought. Jumping from Thales of Miletus endearing “everything is made out of water” postulation to Socrates’ deep-seated self doubt complex, the text book like introduction lays the foundation for Mr Epistemology himself, René Descartes. “But what do I know, what do I know” spits Dupré’s french accent over a funky 90s beat. From the pantheistic pantomime Baruch Spinoza to the manically depressive Nietzsche, many of the jokes rely on a level of assumed knowledge. Fortunately for the less well versed there is lot to take away elsewhere. The rap battle between Dawkins and God (apparently from South London) is as self explanatory as it is crammed full of solid one liners; “In a moment you’re going to need a hospital,” screams God, “alright mate let’s get fucking teleological.” The highlight of the show comes as the audience are asked to suggest vaguely philosophical words. The resultant free-style is not only well performed, but a genuinely good way of explaining Kant’s Copernican Revolution.
The Philosorap Cabaret is not a show with an entirely universal appeal. As the audience seemingly made up entirely of philosophy graduates implies, it is slightly nerdy humour. This is not to suggest that it is niche however. Dupré’s enthusiasm is as infectious as his ability to reel out a 50 minute intellectual tirade from memory is impressive. With no entry price and the guarantee of broadening your horizons, it is most definitely worth catching.
