**

Simple Matters is a clown group of 5 performers, 2 guys and 3 girls. They perform a number of routines some funny, others tasteless.

Given their early afternoon timing when a family audience is likely to be interested, one of the male performer’s routines was not funny and indeed caused offence. On one of his forays into the audience, he aggressively messed up the hair of a girl in her early 20’s, all for the sake of a cheap laugh but to her obvious distaste. Shortly after, her and her male companion walked out.

In addition, there was a routine extracting items during the act of childbirth, which was then followed by him disappearing into the womb. This left the audience non-plussed from what I could see around me. (Believe me I am no prude. I can take late night adult humour and whether I laugh or not will depend on the personality, presence and timing of the performer.)

Cut this performer’s contribution out and what remains would be a more than acceptable show. For me, circus humour should be about clever stunts with the timing looking easy when it can actually be difficult and physically demanding. Fair enough a bit of rude humour but restraint is necessary.

As the show stands, the audience numbers will continue to be tiny.

Reviewed by Ben

Gilded Balloon Teviot; 14

3 to 27 August 2012 (not 7, 14 & 20)

13.30 – 14.45

Fringe Programme Page Number: 319