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Jaw-dropping ventriloquism in a subterranean bar in the West End – what’s not to like?Summary
Rating
Excellent
Is there nothing this man hasn’t achieved?? Paul Zerdin was outright winner of America’s Got Talent way back in 2015 and subsequently went on to do seasons in Las Vegas, numerous comedy festivals, masses of TV, whilst becoming a YouTube king. Of course, here in the UK we know and love him best for his phenomenal history in panto, where he’s about to undertake his 28th season: I know, he hardly looks old enough!
Somehow, even with all this going on, I’ve never managed to catch a live show, so I was really excited to get the opportunity to review his new Puppetman tour. After all that glamour, where would it be? Turns out it’s in the subterranean bar that is the Leicester Square Theatre. Now I’ve seen some top talent at this comedy club in the past, so I was happy to get along there for this, and boy! I was in for a treat. Zerdin is a dazzling entertainer and just the most phenomenal ventriloquist imaginable. Who thought this artform was a thing of the past? In Puppetman, it is brought bang up to date, enhanced with technology and magic tricks, and with side-splitting comedy for an adult audience.
From the off, Zerdin is charismatic, polished and perky, with the audience in the palm of his hand. We are introduced to multiple characters in the show, some old, some new, but all of them fully rounded individuals who make the impossible possible. My particular favourite is Sam, the mischievous little boy who has a wonderfully warm, cheeky way of insulting the ugly audience that has everyone in stitches. Sam’s Grandad Albert even comes along – an old bloke who’s slightly losing the plot, still chasing women but not sure why. He’s a beautifully made puppet with feathery hair that brings him alive with the slightest movement, and he gamely takes on the magic cabinet trick with glee, being carved up into three pieces and magically reformed.
Zerdin’s technical ability as a ventriloquist and puppeteer is through the roof – just jaw-droppingly excellent. I was commenting how brilliantly Sam the floppy puppet was standing upright (a mean task in itself) when he undertook a simultaneous duet with him, without even a hint of lip movement. Watch my lips – both puppet and performer singing at the same time… Un.Be.Liev.A.Ble!!!
The crowd is full of dedicated fans, familiar with his work and cheering him on wildly. There is no hesitation at all when audience members are asked to join Zerdin on stage, where he turns them into puppets, with the use of remote-control face masks and their own vibrant enthusiasm.
With so much going on in there is really something for everyone, and the comedy throughout is light-hearted, cheeky and well-paced. There are, however, a few elements of the show I found a little familiar. One segment, for example, is particularly reminiscent of Abbott and Costello’s ‘Who’s on first’ sketch. Additionally, the prosthetic face masks are a common device these days, here just innovated with remote control manipulation. Still funny, just not so new.
Nonetheless I challenge anyone not to enjoy this fabulous performance. Full of laughter, surprises, personality and magic you really can’t go wrong for a fun night out. The glamour resumes in Peter Pan at the London Palladium this panto season if an underground comedy club is not the venue for you.
This tour is now ended. You can find out more about Paul Zerdin on his website here.
