Colin Hoult

5 Stars

Oh my. Where to start with Colin Hoult. Sometimes, just sometimes, words cannot describe how you feel, right? This is one of those times - so let me make this as clear as possible. Colin Hoult is utterly brilliant.

His new show, Enemy Of The World, which follows on from last year's Carnival Of Monsters, has Hoult at the helm of a sideshow of creepy, macabre characters. The love-child of The League of Gentlemen and Tim Burton, he morphs from a red-suited ringmaster cradling a baby Hitler (yes, really) into a parade of perfectly-crafted personas.

Take Andy Parker, a Nottingham native who is not allowed back in the Army "cos of what 'appened t'that dog" and has written a gruesome screenplay instead. There's the fez-wearing boyfriend who dotes on Janice, the estranged dad who makes outrageous promises to his son, and the bullied schoolboy who presents a rather unique peace offering... all interspersed with songs I couldn't get out of my head for hours.

At once unsettling yet strangely touching, Hoult delivers his creations with confidence and a luscious touch of pure theatricality. At the end, we are given a somewhat philosophical and indulgent speech, but it is fitting and actually quite poignant.

This is absolutely my number one show of the Fringe. I love it, love it, love it - despite being ushered onstage to act like a farmyard pig. Never have I felt more comfortable being picked on, honestly.

Go see it, laugh like a drain and be sick with jealousy at Hoult's talent - you're as mad as one of his characters if you don't.

Review by: Lucy Wood

Our Guide to 'Colin Hoult: Enemy Of The World'