There are rules that murder mysteries must abide by to qualify as murder mysteries. But Huge Davies doesn’t play by rules. Armed with a lethal keyboard strapped to his body and a face with a look that could kill, Huge leads us through a murder mystery of a questionable premise.
The show’s unpredictability is a guarantee, as there is no way of guessing where it goes. The only predictable part is the murder mystery, but you slowly figure out that’s not what you’re really here for. You’re here for Huge’s dead pan comedy that is instantly juxtaposed by the flamboyance of makeshift songs constructed live and right in front of you from the portable keyboard.
Huge embarks on rants and anecdotal spiels that constantly distract him from the task at hand, which is telling us about a reunion of his closest childhood friends after his best friend’s passing. It’s apparent Huge gets carried away with the things that disgruntle him. Only managing to sort through his discontent through the healing powers of song with his loyal keys. Revamping Frosty the snowman’s theme song to lighten a children’s Christmas classic that is far too morbid for the good of a kid’s sanity. Recounting the unnecessarily dramatic Nando’s employee, fabricating the convoluted barriers of entry to first time customers. These musical numbers are some serious encouragers of silly laughter.
I find myself slightly scared not to laugh when Huge darts his beady eyes at the crowd, at times verbally threatening us into breaking the silence. But he pulls it off, fearlessly calling out the audience. And despite the fear I give into the laughter. Somehow, by the end of the show, the murderer is revealed, and you’re not one bit surprised. The shock factor was how Huge managed to sneak a murder mystery through the cracks between his hysterical song breaks and terrifying rants. A truly unique act, there wasn’t a dull moment. His long jokes paid off, and his fast remarks were a sharp wip of humour. Huge has his comedic proficiency flowing through him and his keyboard, guaranteeing a heap of clap worthy gags. The mystery really lies in how Huge doesn’t break character or the straight-faced expression of a true murder mystery novelist.
Huge Davies: Whodunnit
21:40 @ Pleasance Courtyard- Upstairs
Aug 23-27
