Spencer Brown

Through his high powered, high energy set, Spencer Brown begins most of his sentences with the phrase "I have to say…" or "Let me just say…" In Brown’s case though, this seems to be more than just a mere speech affectation or habit. It is virtually a cry for help, or a plea for permission to continue down the road in to the fantasy world he has created for himself, and at the same time an invitation for us all to join him. When he says that he has to say what it is he is about to share with us, it does seem to be the honest truth – the comedy is bursting to get out of him, and he has no choice but to obey the impulse.

Spencer Brown is a brilliantly energetic performer, never once stopping during the full hour he is on stage – even his little breaks for personal time seem to involve running or twitching. His constant movement is what brings his shows up an extra level, as he gurns like Jim Carey or spasms like Kramer in Seinfeld. He also has a brilliant habit of looking genuinely pleased when things are going well. Unlike most performers, you do almost immediately get the impression that he is really interested in keeping the audience happy.

At one point in the show, as he starts gyrating along to the opening bars of a song whose title we couldn’t possibly reproduce here for fear of destroying the brilliantly puerile punchline, he grins up at everyone and declares "Don’t worry, this will all make sense in a minute". And eventually, it does, despite your best efforts not to get sucked in to his crazy world.

8.25pm, Pleasance Below