The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Funny face: Long on laughs
Perth Concert Hall, May 22
Marcus Brigstocke just wants to be happy.
In fact, he wants us all to be happy but knows that in this increasingly complicated world, the things that bring us bliss can be bludgeoned under the weight of political bickering and Facebook bragging.
His show, Why the Long Face? is the comedy highlight of this year’s Perth Festival of the Arts. It isn’t solely a reference to his own appearance but is a positive look at how we can all see through the mire and be a bit more content.
It’s not all yoga mats and rosehip tea, however. Far from it.
As anyone who saw the much shorter, hour-long version of this show at the Edinburgh Fringe last August will confirm, Brigstocke is as incisive about the political situation as ever. His comedy is never full-on politics but as a “white, middle-class, privately educated, university educated, London-dwelling man” as he describes himself, he has plenty to say about the current global grumbles – even though he’s the first to admit his own situation gives him little to moan about.
He is a familiar voice to listeners of Radio 4, where, apart from fronting his own shows including Giles WemmbleyHogg Goes Off, I’ve Never Seen Star Wars and The Brig Society, he is a regular guest on favourites such as Just A Minute, The Now Show and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.
On television he has hosted a version of I’ve Never Seen Star Wars as well as Argumental and The Late Edition. He was also part of the cast of the groundbreaking children’s sketch show I’m Sorry I Have No Head.
Add to that appearances in films like Love Actually and theatre productions including Spamalot and it’s clear that he’s more than an angry middle-aged man shaking his fist. With so much happening politically, it must be difficult to avoid, though.
“I like to clear the decks with all that near the beginning of the show,” he says. “I think people are looking for a break from relentless news so Why the Long Face? is essentially about happiness but it’s also about our sense of entitlement and the idea of gratitude.
Fans of hs regular Edinburgh Fringe slots will be sorry to hear there will be no show this August, however he spends a lot of time in Scotland and is always amazed at the difference in reaction to topical material.
“I’m essentially a posh Englishman, so it’s great to see and hear what other people think, particularly when it’s informed differently. Like anywhere else that’s primarily through newspapers and media, of course. It’s just one part of coming to Scotland that’s always fun to me.”