American character-based comic Rich Fulcher comes on stage, his already sweaty face complimented by an ill-fitting suit and putrid coloured tie, to present an hour's illumination into the world of Tiny Acts of Rebellion by guest lecturer Professor Fulcher. It's complete with visual aides courtesy of a somewhat temperamental projector screen and help from an elfin-eared, slightly disconcerting glamorous assistant (Arnab Chanda).

Sound weird? It is. The show is a melee of supremely random one-liners which are funny because they are so bizarre: 'My other car is a Nazi', 'I once dated a vacuum cleaner'. Step-by-step Professor F guides his 'Tiny Actors' through the different ways in which they can subtly rebel against - well, anything, in their daily lives. From eating soup with fingers, to extreme one-upmanship or simply taking credit for everything, he ensures that no opportunity to 'stick it to the man' goes unmissed. And most of it is legal.

Rich Fulcher is not the average stand-up - there is a much more theatrical element to his performance. He sets up a forced, halting rapport with his 'students', seems nervous, a bit under-prepared - and then breaks it with a random sound-cue or distinctly half-hearted mime sequence, which are amusingly enhanced by perspective-creating pedestrian sound effects. The relationship between Rich Fulcher and co-star Arnab Chanda is played as a somewhat predictable master / servant interaction. But as the show progresses, the sense of them trying to out-do each other is delightful to watch. Some sections seem largely improvised, and the pair appear to be having reluctant fun which stays the right side of performative to remain inclusive.

There is a group form-filling session, the endless potential of do-not-disturb signs, and a cringe-inducing-but-funny-in-an-awkward-way stunt with a megaphone. Rich Fulcher clearly doesn't feel the need to explain or spoon-feed his humour. It's either funny or it isn't. Occasionally gags are a little too far off the wall to follow, and a few go on too long in the hope that they will become funny again (which, to be fair, sometimes they do). The projections in particular could be more effectively used - as they come across as a bit of an afterthought. The show also gets a little rape-heavy toward the end, regressing into potential school-boy humour.

It is hard to tell whether Rich Fulcher and Arnab Chanda are genuinely as awkward and oddball as they come across on stage, or whether it is part of the act. This uncertainty may divide opinion as to their skill - whether laughing at or with them. Either way, incredibly funny stuff.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Arnab Chanda - Performer. Rich Fulcher - Performer.

Company Credits: Writer - uncredited. Director - Harry Deansway. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - uncredited. Company - uncredited. Website - www.richfulcher.com.

END

(c) Emma MacLennan 2011

reviewed Monday 8 August 2011 / Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh, UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com