★★★★
True to its name, Freaks and Fools is a festival of fun and self-deprecation. Host Nicky Vere-Compton wastes no time in introducing themselves as a ‘short, fat, autistic queer’ before telling us with unnerving charm about their childhood, and how their gender non-conformity made them vulnerable to bullies, thenceforth known as ‘The Choir Boys’.
Styling themselves as a ‘comic baritone’, Vere-Compton sings for us, including a terrifying and hilarious parody of ‘The Street Where You Live’ from My Fair Lady, in which they embody a ‘Dark Lord’, warning the choir boys of the revenge that will be taken against them.
Vere-Compton’s story feels authentic and humble, especially when they champion the free fringe in a passionate bucket speech about the importance of supporting queer and neurodiverse artists by providing free performance spaces.
As part of the show, other performers are given guest spots. Today’s guests include Geordie Geoff Oflanagan, whose stand-up style is quite a contrast to that of Vere-Compton, but good fun. He even taught me something I didn’t know about sperm. The other guest is magician Adam B, who performs brilliant tricks with flair and quick-witted humour.
In some ways Vere-Compton’s story feels incomplete. I’d have liked to hear more from them, perhaps to close the show, focusing on how they progressed from school into the world of adulthood.
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable display with a host who shows genuine passion for the importance of refusing to be beaten down by normative society.
Freaks and Fools is on at Uno Mas until August 25th
Adam B Magic: Welcome to my Reality is on at Hot Toddy until August 25th
