Being someone born in the 80s means I got to witness the brilliance of Art Attack and probably lesser known ‘Zzzap!’ both featuring Neil Buchanan. ‘Zzzap!’ featured a section called ‘Smart Arty’, a character who wore a beret, donned a moustache and goatee and made mumbling sounds in a somewhat odd accent; french maybe? As I sat watching Artiste I couldn’t help but be pulled back to those days of my youth in a brilliant way.

Brymore Productions’ latest show promises  “Things are about to get messy!”  and indeed, it delivers. A riotous, paint-splattered comedy, one might say, and a testament to the unbridled chaos of the artistic process. The Artist’s trials and tribulations in pursuit of the perfect masterpiece are both heartfelt and hilariously clownish.

A delightful collision of physical comedy and crafty clowning, the Artist whirls, twirls, and splatters paint with zeal. Throughout the act, young eyes in the audience lit up, captivated by the promise of creation. With every comedic stumble and botched attempt, the artiste captures the childlike wonder in us all.

However, while the performance undoubtedly took me down memory lane and put smiles on children’s faces, there was an inescapable sense of being short-changed. With eager anticipation of a full 60 minutes of paint-filled antics, the show ended at just 40 minutes in and was somewhat of a let-down. Especially when one considers the ticket price. While the humour and heart are undeniable, the duration does leave you wanting, especially for those familiar with the typically fuller experiences offered at the fringe.

There is a stroke of brilliance in this show and the performer explained that he and his partner switch each day and so you don’t know which one you’ll be seeing which is a nice touch, if you’re looking for some arty fun this is a great show, just shame about the time.

***

Reviewed by Matthew

Gilded Balloon Teviot-Wee Room

11.20

Until 20 Aug