Mr Handsome, the greatest hand model of all time, is having a crisis. Seeking a new double act after a turbulent breakup with Mr Handsome’s left-hand man, Lefty. Audience members’ hands can try to fill the void, but ultimately, Mr Handsome has to face his truth.
As Ellen Turnhill Montoya struts onto the stage, she is dressed up head to toe in a right-hand costume, with the name, of course, Mr Handsome. Funny enough, with just her many hand-related puns and quick wit with the audience, Ellen emulates a hand too, twisting herself to write, text, and even pose as examples of Mr Handsome’s most well-known modelling gigs. On top of this, handmade (I assume) hand cream, nail file, hand sanitiser and more kick about the stage. The set and show are incredibly creative.
Ellen drags the crowd onto the stage throughout the show, and not a single person wasn’t cheered; everyone creates a positive atmosphere in the room. As you have your hand stuck in the air, doing your best hand poses and dance moves, you genuinely want the approval of the hand king/queen. After Ellen chooses her victim, the 2nd best hand model (which could be you) performs on stage with Mr Handsome to try and land a modelling job.
But disaster strikes as Mr Handsome is rejected. The use of AI has crept into the hand modelling world and has captured every angle of Mr Handsome over the years. Anything “Mr Handsome” can do, “Mr hAIndsome” can do better and for free. An all too real reality that is starting to dig its teeth into the modelling world, I applaud Ellen for breaking character to ensure everyone got this point, as it is a serious issue that should be shared.
After another hand is brought up from the audience for a thumb war fight outside of a rather handsy nightclub, after losing, Mr Handsome has a drunk reality check. He gets back in touch with Lefty to apologise and to again become the powerful duo they once were.
This show is quirky, funny and pretty wholesome. Some great jokes have snuck in under the hand pun radar and are also a treat. Overall, a great silly show to fill an hour where you could do with a giggle, or maybe you just want to find out your hand modelling potential, for either reason, this show will be up your street.
Ellen Turnhill Montoya is Mr Handsome 17.20, Assembly George Square Studios, until August 24
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ellen-turnill-montoya-is-mr-handsome
