Alex Horne: Monsieur Butterfly

Part comedy show, part performance art, part childish construction playtime, Alex Horne’s show was unique and truly memorable (arguably a rare feat in live comedy). Horne constructed an elaborate mouse-trap style device that was something like 6 X 12 feet long, featuring all manner of pipes, books, fans, mice, a toilet seat, bowling ball, inflatable mattress and much much more. While setting all of this up he still went in for some traditional jokes that were very funny, using wordplay and whimsy to nicely surreal effect. Most impressive however was his infectious enthusiasm for his work and the use of the sprawling, unlikely-to-work contraption as a metaphor for absurdity and optimism in life in general. The tangible sense of the audience willing his construction to work was a powerful, even moving thing. The actual outcome is irrelevant.

Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, 16 October 2014

Rating: