Review by Steve Bennett

This is a masterclass in restrained comic performance. Charles Booth’s understated characters, brought to life with nuanced physicality are a believable bunch, whatever part of the world they are from or whatever quirks they exhibit. The two years he’s just spent with Toronto’s Second City improv theatre – whose alumni include John Belushi, Bill Murray, Mike Myers and Steve Carell – has certainly honed those skills.

Such subtlety doesn’t always score laughs, however, and the writing here is more about gently fleshing out the personalities he inhabits, rather than landing big punchlines. The blurb compares the show to a fine brandy, and that’s probably valid, as it’s a refined, delicate experience rather than a WKD blast of pure laughs.

The cognac theme is picked up in one of several running sketches, in which an actor records a series of possible advertisements for Courvoisier VSOP, suggesting what manner of man might savour such a spirt. It’s a little overplayed, but pays off at the end. Another recurring character, a villainously passive-aggressive Scotsman is a typically well-formed creation which, true to form, is in need of a punchier script.

One-offs include an R&B singer with new-man sensibilities – a rather too simple juxtaposition, but again well-executed – and a Waiting For Godot skit that’s predictable, though might appeal to theatre-lovers’ congratulatory erudition. The 11-year-old sharing her fan fiction fantasies about Dr Who is a definite highlight, as Booth gets into the mindset of a pre-pubescent girl so very convincingly, while the entertaining set-piece finale demonstrates unequivocally how light Booth is on his feet.

As a calling-card for his performing talents, Booth has covered all the bases – but a bit more boldness in the writing would boost the laugh rate immeasurably.

Review date: 11 Aug 2013
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett