THIS show is clever, another in an increasingly popular comedy genre that can be seen either as plays written as a succession of tiny self-contained scenes, or as a sketch show with a narrative that reveals itself gradually. The fact that the plot
of this show hangs on a demonically possessed Enid Blyton should give a hint as to what to expect.
Now I should perhaps mention at this point that there is quite a lot of gorilla activity in the show. Specifically the activity in question is anal rape. It is something of a leitmotif in the show. But don't let that put you off this very funny hour.
Clever Peter is pretty much laughs all the way, from the opening scene in a subterranean room where an ancient book is discovered, through the hilarious Social Olympics, the kinky dentist, Blind Date, the tragic (but very funny) love story of Johnny and Consuela, a clever sketch played out entirely in stage direction and a glorious running gag involving inappropriate homosexual advances.
The show is more tightly packed than Russell Brand's jeans and the energy never drops. There is daft slapstick and clever wordplay, blackness and a counterbalancing lightness of heart. I can't think of one sketch that aims and misses. Richard Bond, Edward Eales-White and William Hartley (who bears an unsettling resemblance to Terry Jones) are a formidable team. Sketch shows have been incredibly impressive this year and Clever Peter is pretty much top of the class.
• Until 25 August. Today 10pm
The full article contains 265 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
