First a warning. Get there early and be prepared for a long wait. I joined the queue for this show ten minutes early (straight from the previous show) and was waaaaay down the back. Then we had to wait twenty minutes for the queue to start moving and the show finally started almost half an hour late. A full house in the Ballroom at the Assembly to see Richard Herring’s latest Edinburgh show. This is centered on Richard’s trip home to Cheddar to his parents and his trying to break their belief in Jesus. A bit heartless, I thought.
For props we have a projector screen (is that what those screens are still called? film screen? video wall?) and an exercise bike. The screen was to show passages from the bible and the bike was so Richard could race Jesus. I wouldn’t recommend this show to any devout christians but I’m sure the title alone would have hinted at that.
Richard was, I think, either nervous about the new material or had been told that there was a show afterwards and he had to be quick, as he was talking at breakneck speed throughout the show and seemed to be just trying to get to the end as fast as possible. Some of the jokes fell a little flat and a few of the callback routines went on a bit long but for the most part of the show it was very funny and the audience were on Richard’s side about the whole Bible contradictions routine. there are a couple of dream sequences and at one point I though there was going to be a proper sermon.
I did feel that there was something missing but I’m not sure if it was because it was too rushed or that Richard didn’t seem relaxed about the material. It will become more polished as the show is pared down a little and he becomes more comfortable about the show. I was impressed with the memorised bit as I can’t think of anything I would less want to have stuck in my brain. And a note to Richard, I’m sure there was a sportsman, golfer I think, called Booz Allen, so that’s two. Oh, and bring your change as there is a charity collection at the end.
Visit the Edinburgh Fringe website for booking details