Steen Raskopoulos: I'm Wearing Two Suits Because I Mean Business
A carefully crafted set of character comedy and audience interaction at the Edinburgh Fringe
Rarely have I witnessed an audience respond so readily to enforced participation than during this wonderfully unpredictable performance from Australian newcomer Steen Raskopoulos.
An offbeat character comic with an improv background, his show unfolds as a series of blackout sketches loosely connected by two developing threads. The charmingly odd tone is pitched somewhere between Limmy's Show! and the sillier side of Chris Morris' Blue Jam, although Raskopoulos has a distinctive voice of his own.
Within moments of appearing on stage he swiftly takes advantage of this sweaty, intimate room to engage with the crowd in a way which can only be described as tactile. But whereas some comics hijack punters to mask poor material, Raskopoulos slots them around his carefully crafted set. Despite their unscripted contributions, he never falters.
He's also never cruel or exploitative. At worst he makes his 'victims' feel slightly awkward, but he generates such a disarming air of weirdly vulnerable warmth, no one leaves feeling humiliated. The audience at this particular show were clearly delighted to be part of his inclusive universe. He's like a benign cult leader.
This physical and imaginative show is a risky flight of dexterous fancy. Don't be afraid, be part of it.
Underbelly Bristo Square, 08445 458 252, until 25 Aug (not 12), 8.10pm, £10.50–£11.50 (£9–£10).