Jaz Mattu has had a difficult six months. No matter how he spins it – even in song – it’s never easy going back home to live with your Dad at 35 years old. Wrestling with feelings of stepping back to a more infantilised time, that aren’t helped by the 90s pop posters on his teenage bedroom wall, this is Mattu’s own modern day multimedia fairy tale of family connections and misunderstood love languages.
There is a lot to enjoy in this show, from roly polys on a hard stone floor to a rather fantastic playable Mario Bros. rip, satirising the experience of the local comedian with bitter delight. Audience members are recruited to give job interviews, go on dates, and go clubbing in Matttu’s efforts to rebuild his life as an adult in his hometown. There’s an impressive robot representation of his Dad – a central figure – and multiple sound cues. Amongst these are his Dad’s pre-recorded put-downs, sometimes a bit too harsh to laugh at, and Mattu’s hurt responses also a bit too believable.
There’s so much it seems that even Mattu has trouble keeping up, catching his breath as he carries the narrative fully on his shoulders, dashing from one tech or interactive piece to another. There are a lot of very creative ideas, but perhaps not enough editing, with the overall impression being one verging on the overwhelm.
‘Jaz Mattu Returns’ is a sweet tale of family and the growing up that keeps happening, no matter how old you get. 35 years old is no time at all, there’s loads more to come from this artistic polymath.
Jaz Mattu Returns, 18.40 Just The Tonic At The Caves, Until 25 August (except 12& 19)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Jaz%20Mattu%20Returns%22
