one4review | On 12, Aug 2025

It’s always a gift when the title of a show manages to summarise the entire thing for you. And, indeed, Woody Fu’s One Man John Wick does exactly what it says on the tin in this (figuratively and literally) explosive show full of firefights, motorcycle chases and the occasional moment where someone is sad about a dog.

 

Somewhat against what the title might imply, the show is not actually a direct summary of the original movie, more a summary of the movies – and their production – as a whole. Fu plays Hollywood’s favourite nice boy Keanu Reeves playing vengeance seeking assassin John Wick, pantomiming out ultraviolent fight scenes while the audience are roped into various positions as producers, screenwriters, stunt doubles and foley artists. Fu’s Keanu is just as charismatic as the real thing, and embodies the role so completely that it’s at points a shock when he drops the character and comes through. And the mime and sound effects are complimented by clever use of a variety of minimal props, lights and backwards folding chairs (re. motorbikes).

 

The show is everything you could hope for from the concept – silly, exciting, creative and just plain funny. As with any show that relies on some fairly major parts played by members of the crowd, there’s a slight risk that some performances might run smoother than others, but Woody Fu seems so comfortable and professional, that I’ve no doubt it’s something he’d be able to handle.

 

The show played to a packed but modest audience, but I’ve no doubt it’ll be moving to larger and larger stages as Fu’s talent reaches further and further.

*****

Reviewed by Tom

Assembly George Square – The Crate

20.50 (1hr)