The Sticky Bivouac is a glimpse into the strange and some might say tedious world of Paul Currie. The all-too-popular device of the recorded announcement starts the show - in the style of a 1930s variety compere who has spent time propping up a student-union bar, gaining a first-class-honours degree in smutty innuendo.

Paul Currie in a tasteful grey pin-stripe three-piece suit glides onto the stage like a diva at a Royal command Performance. Paedophilia and menstruation gags kick-start the repertoire, which involves lots of posing to iconic tunes and playing with seemingly irrelevant objects. At times it feels like watching a slightly disturbed schoolboy entertaining himself before an audience of toys. One of the funniest moments begins when Paul Currie quite literally pulls a couple from their seats and places them on either side of him at the front. He then mimes to the introductory narrative which opens the hit 1970s TV show Hart To Hart with such conviction and perfect timing that it's hard to keep a straight face. But forcing people seemingly to drink from a glass of milky goo, and the Cat poem - which consists of listing large objects too big to fit inside one - come across as more juvenilia. Another well-conceived moment is a ventriloquist's dummy singing along to Ah Ha's Take On Me - but again Paul Currie's propensity for schoolboy humour takes over and the joke wares thin.

The nice-but-dim style of comedy may be welcomed by many who are familiar with Paul Currie's work, and indeed this is a show for fans. While some might call it genius, the performance seems over-egged with excessive face-pulling and shouting, and relies too heavily on music and props. For those like comedy a more original and sharp-edged, this may not be one to watch.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Performer - Paul Currie.

Company Credits: Writer - uncredited. Director - uncredited. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - Paul Currie. Company - Sirkus On Foot. Website - www.sirkusonfoot.com.

END

(c) Diana Thomas 2009

reviewed Monday 10 August 09 / C cubed, Edinburgh UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com