Review by Hilary Wardle

If you think the effortlessly charming Matt Lacey looks familiar, the chances are you have access to Comedy Central as he’s currently appearing as the Royal Baby in skits between programmes.

It’s a good fit, as Matt’s at his best when he’s impersonating a horse-toothed posho – unsurprising given the fact he shot to fame thanks to his inspired Gap Yah video on YouTube. If you’re not familiar with it, imagine a character with a surprising resemblance to a pre-male pattern baldness Prince William describing a summer spent ‘chundering’ on the natives during a volunteering world tour. That character is Orlando, and he makes an appearance in Matt’s latest show as the ‘Inspiration’ teacher at Ramshackle Academy, the fictional setting for Classroom Warrior.

As well as Orlando, Matt takes on the role of a bumbling, old-fashioned headteacher, a female deputy head and a hyperactive PE coach called Ernesto among others. He’s certainly versatile. All of his creations are spot on and very funny, particularly the extremely camp drama teacher who’s so passionate about teaching his young public school charges that he lies on the (sticky) floor and wiggles around like an eel before dragging a member of the audience up to do some improv. You have been warned.

He flits effortlessly between characters with the help of a few very amusing pre-recorded Tannoy announcements, and it’s not long before you genuinely begin to believe that you really are at a parents’ evening: albeit one featuring several teachers who almost certainly failed their CRB checks.

The highlight is probably Ernesto’s high-energy aerobics routine, though unless you want to get your ‘banter trousers’ wet you might want to put your drink down before attempting some of the more dramatic moves. Orlando’s ‘Inspirational’ lesson is, like, totes amaze, too, but as the youthful toff is Matt’s longest established character that’s probably to be expected.

However, anyone who has ever been trapped in an Edinburgh Fringe queue with yahs will be bowled over by his spot on portrayal of a self-centred, poverty-immune, clueless 20-something in a Jack Wills gilet.

Review date: 14 Aug 2013
Reviewed by: Hilary Wardle