STAND-UP COMEDY REVIEW: Garry Starr: Greece Lightning - The King's Arms Theatre, Salford.

‘Greece Lighting’ is loosely based on Greek mythology, in this case the word ‘loosely’ applying in every sense! Garry Starr actually makes Freddie Starr look tame. This frantic 50 minutes of mad-cap mayhem feels like a much longer show because so much is packed into it and every time, it seems that the boundaries have been pushed to their limit, a fresh surprise is foisted on the audience.

In essence, the show comprises of Starr presenting himself as a Greek (despite having a suspiciously Australian accent) and undertaking a range of quick impersonations of characters from Greek mythology using a wide range of props and devised costumes. Music is frequently used to good dramatic effect and the presentations are generally very funny. What really sets the show apart is the level of audience involvement.

Right from the start, audience members are picked out to aid Zeus’s thunderbolts by raising ‘zap’ signs on cue (naturally enough to the sound of ‘Greased Lightning’) which is innocent enough and a reasonable devise to break the fourth wall and warm the audience up. From there on, things get progressively wilder as audience members are brought on stage to act, dance, box, throw projectiles or squirt water as the performance floor progressively becomes covered with debris. Think of one of the craziest TV game shows where the show host is a comedian and then add mayhem!

Perhaps Starr’s greatest ability is the extent to which he is able to turn unsuspecting audience members into enthusiastic performers. With his stall set out early on in the show, it is clear that nothing is going to be taken very seriously, although behind the buffoonery, Starr is a consummate showman, constantly assessing audience reactions and spotting comedic opportunities. He seemingly has the ability to bring out the extrovert in almost anyone. There is something of the Kenny Everett in his mannerisms and the way he somehow makes the absurd seem normal.

The language remains clean throughout but considering there is full-on close-up nudity, it is surprising there is no content warning on any show publicity but then in a curious way, there is something innocent even about the naked Garry Starr. Greece Lightning is unquestionably a highlight of the Fringe Festival, and it is not hard to see why it has so many awards at other festivals. It is an extremely funny show and one in which the whole audience is intimately involved, even for those just watching. It really is a show not to be missed.

Reviewer - John Waterhouse
on - 18.7.22