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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Rob Deering - Superkings
Verdict: Inclusive, warm, blissfully funny
Edinburgh - Pleasance Hut - August 03
Rob Deering kicks off with a tribute to the Son of God. The gig is about super-kings, so - as he points out - best to start at the top.
This leads to born-again Christians, gun culture in America, snipers - and Charlton Heston. Rob Deering dons a Mandy Dingle (Emmerdale) wig - 'my Rock God image' - and picks up his guitar. He's celebrating guitar heroes - like Pete Townshend. He plays riffs from T-Rex, Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Postman Pat. There's Purple Haze and Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix, plus an inspired imitation of Slash (Guns n Roses).
Rob Deering's on to comic-book heroes - Spiderman, Daredevil, Batman, Captain America. And pop heroes - Gareth Gates, Posh Spice, Blue, the Cheeky Girls, Fast Food Rockers. Noting that superheroes are invariably men, he brings in Professor Germaine Greer. And - Barbie ('she runs, jumps, gets tied up...'), Wonderwoman, Marilyn Monroe and Madonna. And many more.
Rob Deering's a friendly-looking man, cuddly, with a warm smile. All of which are camouflage, though of the most charming nature. His wit's one of the sharpest on the London comedy circuit, identifying and cutting to the centre of cant and pretence. In a show about idols, their feet of clay are unerringly (though not cruelly) identified - and severed.
The show's well-written, impressive - and sections of it aren't written at all. In routines about music, Rob Deering frequently takes requests on guitar pieces, which he then plays, and parodies - both verbally and musically. His chord and lead-work is inspired with technical eloquence. His memory for songs (and their stories) from the 60s to date is remarkable.
It's a well-constructed hour of comedy from an expert - inclusive, warm, and blissfully funny.
Credits (alpha order): Written and performed - Rob Deering. Management - Avalon. Technical manager - Venue Staff.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 25 August 03 / Edinburgh / Pleasance Hut
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
