Kirbie McShiz reviews the Fringe comedy show.
The Shack on Rose Street was the venue for this hour of up-beat shenanigans. Compered by Liam Withnail and starring Matthew Ellis, Britain's Got F*ck All Talent (****) had the packed-out room entertained and happy for the duration. Top marks also go to The Shack for their air conditioning. What a treat it was to be watching comedy in a dark room and not to be drenched in sweat and worrying if you were going to pass out.
I have seen Matthew Ellis a few times and find his comedy characters hysterical. I find him laugh-out-loud funny and cannot stop myself from laughing a bit too loudly throughout this performance. Britain’s Got F*ck All Talent features four of his comic creations: Anthony the Scouse bouncer, Scorchka O'Finnega--a Northern Irish schoolgirl, Kenny Boyle, the stuttering cousin of Susan, and JellyBeen Martinez, a flirtatious bisexual Spaniard. Each character takes to the stage and gives some ridiculous and amusing chat followed by some type of ‘talent’. The irony is that while Ellis showcases the awful talents of his characters he also showcases his own real talents, and we see that he can sing and dance too. Triple threat!
The audience are all given green and red cards and in a ‘Ready Steady Cook’ fashion can vote for which act they like. There is a fair bit of audience interaction in this show, and both Ellis and Withnail effortlessly work with their audience and have them eating from the palms of their hands. There are smiles and laughter all around; it is clear that this is a fun and feel-good show for everyone in the room.
Matthew Ellis is definitely one to watch. His characterisation skills are exceptional, and in other circumstances the audience would not have known that these characters were all played by the same actor. Ellis is so immersed in each character he looks a little bit like he has been possessed, but he hasn’t, I don’t think so anyway – he is just a very talented actor.
Britain’s Got F*ck All Talent is on at The Shack. Check website or programme for dates and times.
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