4 1/2 stars
Straight up front, I want everyone to know that I know Chris Gibbs personally. That's not going to stop me from slagging his show, though. At least, it wouldn't if I could slag it. Which I can't, because it's such a rich, funny and original show.
Chris arrives on stage in the person of Vaguen, Master of Ignorance, a sort of a cross between self-help guru Tony Robbins and uber-evangelist Billy Graham. He is the guide who will lead us to the enlightenment that is ignorance. According to Vaguen, ignorance is not only bliss, it's power. He spouts truisms like: "If you don't know who you are, you can be anyone you want to be" and "Confusion is the boulevard to ignorance." As our "seminar" continues, we are treated to more background of Vaguen's life, including a very telling hypnosis session that goes badly awry. I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone, but let's just say it's a smashing conclusion.
Brit performer Chris Gibbs, one half of the physical comedy duo Hoopal, has co-written with multi-talented Fringe favourite T.J. Dawe an off- kilter, clever, absurd and howlingly funny script. Gibb's delivery is a combination of dry wit and barely controlled madness that threatens to go off the rails at any time. That in itself was enough to send Friday's audience into gales of laughter, but he combines it with physical comedy, sight gags and subtle mannerisms that take the whole enterprise to the next comedic level. This show is a must see. And remember, according to Vaguen, the only people to use 100 per cent of the human brain are cannibals.
Russ Hewitt
CBC Edmonton
