“The king is dead! There are three candidates to succeed him – they can only ascend the throne with support of the local lords and ladies (the audience)! Join the Bad Clowns and shape the future of the entire kingdom!”
Bad Clowns are heading back to Edinburgh Fringe, and this show was captured in their recent run at the New Wimbledon Studio.
They are a comedy group (John Bond, Christian Dart and Sam Walls), and have crafted a musical comedy that can’t help but pull in the audience and make them part of the action.
Dart’s solo shows are full of a likeable anarchy, and he’s the dominant performer here, but Bond and Walls are very good (Bond has a touch of the Baldricks). The three each get the chance to present their case to become the King with all the qualities of a traditional ruler.
Together with a pantomime horse and a script that shoehorns in every cliche in historical pastiche, and even working in a game show, Long Live The King is a gloriously silly, noisy, riotous hour that allows each performer to play to their strengths.
There are a lot of laughs to be gathered here. If you’ve ever chuckled at the faux horses in Monty Python, you’ll be entertained. If you look forward to the party, you’ll fit right in. And if you crave a bit of buckling the swash, unsheath and take the position.
3.5 stars.
Bad Clowns: Long Live The King is at Edinburgh Fringe from 30 Jul-17 Aug at Nip at Gilded Balloon Patter House – book in here.