As this is a preview, and low on audience numbers, Gordon Southern has a particularly inventive way to bring the small crowd to the front – Grandmother’s Footsteps. It works. So does his somewhat loose theme - Stamp Stamp - which refers to his travels. These were around the UK and Australia, taking in weddings in both countries – both his own, both to the same Aussie bride.

The self-proclaimed 'International Word Clown' makes an assistant of one of the audience, Cameron. His role involves turning the pages of the months of the year, while Gordon Southern plays theme tunes for the months on mini hand-cranked musical boxes. His technological issues with his MP3 player are put to rest with his board of nine of these, forming a 'Victorian Ipod'. He has some wonderful lines, on topics as diverse as signing bibles, the M4 toll, responsible drinking, Ryan Air, cold calls, Easter, and texting the word 'Bleurgh'. He covers things that are sad to do on your own (watch fireworks, go on roller-coasters, eat birthday cake – especially your own) and why Canberra is a cross between Milton Keynes and Westminster. Other topics include similarities between Steve Irwin and Lady Di, and broadband as a 'basic human right'. And there's a neat gag - with too much of his trademark funny build-up and subtle re-incorporation to explain fully - about the Gilded Balloon's fire a few years previously.

Late on in the hour, Gordon Southern realises he's running late, and has to ditch some material. But it's clear that he has way more than enough for a full hour’s show. If there has to be a fault found, the gimmick of hand-stamping the audience on the way in isn’t good when the pad is still so inky that the result spreads itself over half the arm and the jeans.

Cast Credits: Performer - Gordon Southern.

Company Credits: Writer - Gordon Southern. Director - uncredited. Technical Operator - Madeline Witz. Producer - CKP by arrangement with Lisa White at Glorious Talent.

END

(c) Gill Smith 2007

reviewed Thursday 2 August 07 / Gilded Balloon

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com