Venue (372): Stand in the Square
Category: Comedy
Times: 8:30pm
Dates: Aug 1-25, not 4,11,18
Stars: ****
Reviewed by Tony Challis
There is no-one quite like Robin Ince. Maybe a force of nature but not at the level of his friend Brian Blessed, who of course gets a mention and a representation here, – but enough to make the title of the show most appropriate. Maybe Robin could be summed up as a cuddly human firework.
I am sure Robin had material for a show at least twice the length of this one, and the material just bursts out of him. He was clearly really excited by the prospect of a brain scan that he was invited to do for someones research. He had the concerns we all would have – yes, it is just research but, I afraid there is a little shadow All was well, of course.
Robin has deep enthusiasm for learning more about the brain and about the ways we represent the world to ourselves. He manages to convey the fire of his passion in a way that has his audience in stitches, and makes us want him to go on never mind the next show needing to get under way. He refers to the radio show on scientific matters, The Infinite Monkey Cage. There is friendly banter with Brian Cox in the others absence. But there are also many insights and anecdotes that enliven the afternoon, and have us by turns having light-bulb moments and laughing out loud.
Robin in now forty five years old, so with any luck he will be enlightening, diverting and entertaining us for at least another forty- five!
