Asher Treleaven review

Long and blond, Treleaven creeps onto stage in a style reminisent of a Victorian villain. Ever twisting hands and wide-eyed, he leaps around the stage. Akin to a snappily dressed gazelle, he addresses the audience as if he met them in a dream, whilst smiling in a somewhat maniacal fashion.

He seems genuinely pleased that people are there to listen to him, and possesses a fantastically physical way of expressing his thoughts about everything; at times, it's almost like watching a cartoon of a gymnast, as he conveys his ideas through an innate gift for story-telling, and the odd talent of expressive 'dance'.

A natural performer, with an ability to make the audience feel very comfortable, and providing consistantly funny material, ranging from 'forcing a moustache out with the boys' and 'Australiaface', to his 'Poisonous Personalities' segments, including a 19th century American mechanical engineer, intertwined with some more familiar faces.

Perhaps the most enlightening part of the show, however, are his lessons in love-making. Tips on what, and what not to do in the bedroom (or chosen location) are brilliantly thought out, and well executed, and for material that has been done before, he manages to pass it off with a new level of originality, putting a new spin on sexual differences. Topped off with a moving reading of the 'passion' embodied by a lesser known author, the show draws to an hilarious conclusion.

This is definitely a show that should be seen, although, if you're afraid of being stared, smiled or leapt at, maybe sit towards the back.

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Asher Treleaven: Secret Door listing