Show Details
Alex Horne: Every Body Talks
Show type: Edinburgh Fringe 2004
Starring Comic:
Alex Horne

Alex Horne: Every Body Talks


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Description

Stand up comedy, news reading, conversation, mime - they're all about good communication. And communication, as we all know is 80% non-verbal - the other 20% is about two thirds chatting and shouting and one third little notes like Post-its, text messages and tattoos.

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Reviews

Original Review:

Show Rating:Alex Horne: Every Body Talks rated 4/5

For the first ten minutes of Alex Horne's quirky, unique show and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. What I did know was that I loved it.

Ostensibly a discussion about body language, he employs the advice contained in a brochure he found on staging the perfect seminar to fully involve his delegates, us, in the exchange of information.

So he starts out to explore the themes of non-verbal communication, using the behaviour of audience members as examples. You can see how the show would unveil from here ­ and that's exactly what doesn't happen, as any expectations you may have of themes and structure are thrown recklessly to the wind.

Every Body Talks does have its own internal logic, but its unexpected twists and turns continually wrongfoot the audience, and delightfully so. Like a fairground ride, you have to trust yourself to its workmanship and enjoy the thrills of the journey.

Horne rewrites the rules of audience interaction, teasing, manipulating and disconcerting his punters in equal measure, but always with the most benevolent of intent.

It's all wonderfully underplayed, not quite deadpan, but more stilted and uneasy, as if a half-competent middle manager was attempting to deliver a slick corporate presentation ­ which is just the right tone for a seminar.

Take the PowerPoint presentations that have become a staple of Edinburgh shows. Horne seems instead to only be able to afford cheaper generic software, complete with hideous clip art. But he uses it so much better ­ improvising the graphics on the fly with the help of his long-suffering sidekick Tim Key, and even providing multimedia heckle put-downs.

The whole show evolves semi-organically, with proceedings falling as if naturally into the complex template Horne dreamed up.

It's inventive, unusual stuff which almost defies description. But it wouldn't be all that much of an overstatement to say Horne hasn't just created a show, but a state of mind.

The concept is ambitious, the execution delightful and the atmosphere charming. Put simply, Every Body Talks is unlike anything else you will see on the Fringe ­ which is exactly why you should go.

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Comments

Absolutely brilliant. The best show at Edinburgh this year. Robbed of the Perrier.

Erica, September 2004


Quite possibly my favourite show of this year's festival. Absolutely fantastic fun.

Tom Hughes, September 2004


A very disappointing show. Powerpoint can be funny but not for an hour

G Ramsay, August 2004


I absolutley loved this show and I totally agree that it is money well spent and hysterically funny. I enjoyed Tim alot more this year also.

Jo Hawkins, August 2004


An Alex Horne show is one of the most enjoyable hours that £8 will buy you and Everybody Talks doesn't let the side down. Following up on the near perfect Making Fish Laugh, Horne, ably (and inably) assisted by boffin Tim Key, delivers a show of technical wizardry and sublime humour. Alex Horne has the ability to completely relax his audience and we all seem happy to follow him wherever he wants to take us. TThe show is excellent, go and shout at him... lots! He wants you to.

Day Macaskill, August 2004


A brilliant show.

S. Bentley, August 2004



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