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Will Seaward: Magnificent Bastard

 
James W. Woe Review by James W. Woe 4 Published: 25 Aug 2016 Gilded Balloon at the Counting House Show Dates: 3 Aug 2016-29 Aug 2016

Everyone wants to rule the world but Will Seaward actually has a list of ways to achieve this. With a new scheme every day Seward hopes to achieve world domination with plenty of laughs along the way.

An hour of silly and fun comedy with plenty of fantastic visual gags.

The concept is strong and means that Seaward can riff on the many archetypes and cliches of the supervillain. He clearly relishes in the camp world of a Bond villain and it's pitched perfectly with madcap ideas and silly props. Too often comedians propose an idea and ask you to imagine it, Seaward brings them to life. The props are cheap but endearingly so.

He’s certainly a commanding presence which his big booming voice goes along way to cement. There is plenty of jovial audience interaction, gifted with a sedate wit Seaward commands his participants with gusto and even fine brandy. For an evil genius he certainly is a likeable and gentle improviser.

There is a new section each day based on his diabolic ideas to take over the world. Each idea is intriguing and there is a few you’d probably wish you’d have gotten to see. This does mean it is difficult to tell how much of the show is scripted. It's a good system as it makes the jokes sound natural and off the cuff.

The only true villain in this show is how hot the room is. It is an hour of silly and fun comedy with plenty of fantastic visual gags. Will Seaward is truly a Magnificent Bastard.

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The Blurb:

Will Seaward has decided to become a real super-villain and take over the world. And he's going to do it live onstage at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Tremble ye innocents! Nothing can stop him! Nothing! Ha ha ha! Warning: Audience may be eaten by piranhas. 'Part Brian Blessed, part Oscar Wilde, part crazed Victorian music hall MC... a naturally funny fellow' (Telegraph, What To See 2015). 'Pure comedy gold' ***** (Fest). 'Utterly absurd and belly-achingly funny' ***** (ThreeWeeks). The only real way of describing him is 'legend' ***** (TheNewCurrent.co.uk). 'Leaves you open-mouthed with wonder' ***** (TheatreFullstop.wordpress.com).