When you see Ross Noble this comedy festival – and you should – make note of the giant air-bag-esque light bulbs that adorn his stage. It’s the perfect metaphor, the Northumberland-born comic a true ideas man.
Brain Dump is interesting from the outset, an extravagant broadway-inspired opener advising patrons to put their phones away. While it seems a tad over the top, it is, admittedly, an entirely necessary disclaimer: as an audience member in a Ross Noble show, it is essential that you pay attention. Once you slip behind, it’s very difficult to catch up. There are simply no pauses, Noble barely catching his breath from one fantastical stream-of-consciousness tangent to the next. It’s actually pretty amazing how rarely he trips himself up amidst all the silliness. Watching Noble work conjures up memories of the claymation series Wallace & Gromit – specifically, The Wrong Trousers. Those familiar with the short film may recall its climax, in which Gromit – riding an out-of-control toy train – is forced to hastily lay down more track, lest he risk derailment. Like Gromit, Noble works at a million miles an hour and somehow, some way, manages to avert catastrophe.
You would expect, then, that Brain Dump would be drastically different each night. That seems like a fair assumption to make. After all, it’s unlikely that Noble will always find his way to pedestrian hook turns, terrorist breeding schemes, singing Joe Cocker to rubber cobras, scenes from The Exorcist at a local swimming pool, shit ghosts, and rogue testicles. But that’s the beauty of it: Noble has the means of providing a fresh experience each evening. The “replay value” of the show, so to speak, is off the charts. Few performers can boast such a thing. Noble’s strike rate is notable, too. It’s one thing to be slightly weird and whimsical, but it’s another thing to actually make it funny. Noble, more often than not, absolutely nails it.
If there’s anything that undermines Brain Dump, it’s the length of the show. It goes for approximately 140 minutes and, though there’s an intermission, you really begin to feel fatigued in the second half. Ross Noble is relentless – which, as discussed is absolutely to his credit, but paring things back a bit might be for the best. As it is, Brain Dump is a classic case of having too much of a good thing.
“If you are reviewing the show, good luck!” quipped Ross Noble as the show, amidst another bizarre detour, neared its conclusion. Noble is mistaken, though, for thinking the task difficult. It’s plain as day that Noble is an extremely gifted performer, residing in the upper-echelon of quick-witted comedians.
BY NICK MASON
