Show Details
Dr Brown Behaves
Show type: Edinburgh Fringe 2009
Starring Comic:
Dr Brown

Dr Brown Behaves


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Videos

Trailer

February 2010
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Trailer
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Description

Free show. After European tour in Prague, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Paris, Dr Brown (surreal and visual comedy master) arrives in Edinburgh.

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Reviews

Dr Brown Behaves - Fringe 2009
Live Review

 Dr Brown Behaves rated 2/5

I could never recommend people turn up to a show late; but let’s just say the first 20 minutes or so of the surreal Dr Brown’s show is tedious, execrable tripe.

A purveyor of agonisingly awkward anti-comedy he wordlessly and deliberately sets up the show, fiddling clumsily with CD Walkman and the curtain at the back of the room before playing a futile game of Guess Who with himself, and reading extracts from Princess magazine, whose target demographic is six-year-old girls.

Amid nervous half-chuckles and embarrassing shoe-gazing, he tries to get a reluctant audience to indulge in some pitiful call-and-response. But no one wants to be there, let alone join in.

Heckles inevitably follow – and are much funnier than his act, which seems to comprise only him defiantly holding his poise despite a palpable lack of material. Yes, it’s original (to a point), but it could just be that there’s a damn good reason why few comics play ‘dare’ with the audience in this way.

Yet just when the show appears a write-off, he somehow turns it around. A silly visual gag with a banana gets the chuckles going, which some stilted improv with a punter plucked from the audience builds upon. The good doctor also occasionally lets his humourless mask slip, letting us see the real person inside, and, against all odds, the good times roll.

The climax involves potential humiliation of a punter, which is always the cheapest of laughs, but whether by luck of judgment, Brown chooses a remarkably game bloke, who submits to things on stage the more reserved among us never would – and the spirit is much more good-natured Generation Game than malicious Balls Of Steel. If I were reviewing audience members, ‘Steve’ would get five stars. But I’m not.
Date of live review: Saturday 15th Aug, '09
Review by Steve Bennett
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Comments

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I was recently in Adelaide and part of Dr. Browns' show - well, believe you me I am normally quiet and reserved - but he enticed me out of my comfort zone - and quite enjoyed being part of his act - even to the extreme of oiling him for his phantom swim. Go Dr. Brown!

veronica, March 2010

I've just got back from being on the same bill as this fine gent. Utterly stunning, and an honour to watch him. Couldn't be more highly recommended.

Chris, October 2009

The show was so funny I actually felt a ill from laughing - ignore the review - go in with an open mind and enjoy comedy that doesn't enjoy cheap laughs at stupid celebrities :)

Jessica, August 2009

Read what Steve Bennett says, then do the opposite. Always works for me. Saw this Saturday, loved it.

Dan, August 2009

Steve. You really should go and see this guy again. Even 400 miles away here in London, I'm sure you've got it wrong. Dembo x

Ivor Dembina, August 2009

I laughed all the way through this performance (and was at the same one as the reviewer apparently)which is more than I did at some of the so called comedians I paid to see. Quirky, courageous and very very surreal. Good to see someone trying to do something different from the usual tired stand up nonsense. I went twice.

Hazel, August 2009

I agree with the positive reviews for this show. It is very courageous and brilliant, you certainly don't forget it. Dr Brown is a master of pushing things to the very limit.

heather, August 2009

Is disagree with the review above. I found the show brilliant throughout. 5 stars. it might not be to everyone's tastes, but the vast majority of the audience were in hysterics when i went.

Tom, August 2009

When you read this review remember that Steve Bennett, who runs this excellent website, is an individual who is expressing his own opinion. Steve Bennett doesn't like Terry Alderton who is in my opinion one of the most amazing performers and comedians that you are likely to see. It is also my opinion that Dr Brown is brillant and original and I would suggest that everyone see this show - oh and get there early! Jim-Bob

Jim-Bob, August 2009

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