Review by Steve Bennett

Review

Ever started to complete a survey and then got bored halfway through because it becomes more involved and tedious than you first thought? (a) often, (b) sometimes, or (c) never?

Well, if it's (a) or (b), you'll know what it's like to watch Neil Edmond's show: a promising idea that gets so wrapped up in its internal red tape that the point ­ to have a bit of fun - is long lost.

The premise is that his character, dressed geekily in a sweatshirt bearing the message Your Opinion Counts with the final 'O' unfortunately missing, is a market researcher, knocking door-to-door to canvas opinion, a job with which Edmond has first-hand experience.

It's not the most appealing of characters, being so analytical and mechanical, yet Edmond bases the entire hour on audience interaction with this tedious creature, who you'd normally spend time trying to avoid. The character has the obligatory dark background in an attempt to make him appear more interesting, but it's only dressing.

Edmond tries to shape the show according to the responses to his ceaseless questionnaires; constructing, for example, an complicated, lengthy joke out of our preferences. But it's naturally not funny ­ in keeping with the character, I guess ­ and pulling off such a poor routine is too much for Edmond to pull off.

The main gimmick is that he genuinely goes out on to the streets of Edinburgh every y to conduct a ridiculous survey that the audience concocts for him. I guess it's as fruitful as flyering in raising attention for his show.

The only problem is that it takes an eternity to construct all the questions from multiple-choice options ­ and all this for a stunt that we're never going to see the result of. We don't even see the result of earlier surveys in the run. It's heavily dependent on the audience, and it wasn't the liveliest bunch on the night Chortle was in, but it's just a hell of a lot of paperwork to be done when you've come out for jokes.

There are a few nice touches, such as the ranty song he sings in a bid to generate some enthusiasm, and Edmonds comes across as a nice enough bloke. But overall, Knocker has been ill-thought out, making it a wasted opportunity.

Is it hilarious? Brilliant? A must-see? No, it only ticks the box marked 'none of the above'.

Steve Bennett

Review date: 1 Jan 2006
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett