Garry Starr may well be the best clown in town this Edinburgh Fringe. This hilarious, scantily clad, Elizabethan jester assumes the role of the most famous gods of Greek mythology to help save the suffering Greek economy. A noble cause taken up by an absolutely wonderful buffoon.
There are times in this performance when it is unclear whether you are at the Underbelly or Burke and Hare. You may indeed see far more of Starr than you paid for, but it is always light-hearted and great fun. It’s Classics cabaret gone wild!
Zeus, Poseidon and Atlas are all embodied by Starr in a way you have never pictured them before and I for one, much prefer this rendition of the divine. Lunacy and extremism are just a couple of the words that can begin to describe the absurdity of the characters portrayed on stage. Our entertainment is always Starr’s number one priority and there is nothing he won’t do to achieve this goal, nothing.
Not only are his jokes comical but his talent is undeniable. The impeccable music, choreography and bod are all on full display as the once most sacred figures on earth are reduced to Starr’s silly playthings.
He, too, manages to engage the audience in his performance in such a brilliantly comical fashion. At no point do the select few feel awkward or off-put by dry questions about their day job or hometown, rather it is a joy to be part of such a ridiculous spectacle. Whether you are on stage dancing with Starr, or in your seats hurling more than abuse at him, it’s marvellously stupid and engaging. The crowd’s cues are natural, and Starr works his show perfectly around his audience’s will. There is no need to feel embarrassed when a man wearing little more than a ruff is prancing around the stage.
I am not sure anything can prepare you for what you will see in ‘Greece Lightning’, but I can assure you that every second will have you keeled over in riotous laughter. You may leave confused, crying or just strangely aroused but whatever the outcome, Garry’s odd humour will raise your standards for absurd comedy.
Garry Starr: Greece Lighting
20:55 at Underbelly, Cowgate (Venue 61)
August 4 – 16, 18 – 28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/garry-starr-greece-lightning
