one4review | On 18, Aug 2026

Viggo Venn pops a cardboard version of himself out to open the show to the audience. Wiggling his fingers, he gets us to cheer, and immediately draws us into his playful game.

This is clearly a tight little set that he’s practised many times. The key is finding which audience members might be a bit boisterous or make a mistake, then playing with whatever happens. Venn is an accomplished wry funny clown fearless about leaving space to play with his lay audience.

Incredibly light, funny and warm with charm to spare there’s no need for him to speak.
When one audience member cheers a little too early, Viggo moves him backwards one seat. The audience member doubles down, so Viggo moves him again; this results in sheer hilarity heightened until he’s onto stage to recreate Venn’s opening.

There’s a real sense of play between performer and audience. We’re all just having a lovely time.

He has audience members up on stage dancing with him, gives mic headsets to people, having them work out what sound effects to do. He has another audience member chasing him around the venue for love. It’s all incredibly silly and feels really inclusive.

The show centres around Viggo as a man at home who’s lonely and hoping someone might come and visit him, maybe a partner? There are points where the humour is slightly sexual,( being honest this wasn’t required he’s genuinely funny enough without any need for blue humor) but it’s very much tongue-in-cheek, silly and funny. It still feels like a family-friendly show.

What really comes across is how much Viggo seems to like and care about the people who get involved. Nobody feels like a victim of the joke. There’s warmth running through the whole thing.

The climax is gloriously silly, with Viggo – Lady and the Tramp-ing some spaghetti with an audience member.

It’s not an overly constructed clown show, but there is so much joy and warmth here and most importantly room to discover and play. Everyone comes out feeling warm and happy, having laughed heartily.

He’s no doubt among the best clowns in the world but it’s clear – he’d rather find out what you would do.

We all laughed together Venn included, that felt special . This combined with the fact it’s a never before never again type show, because it’s built around who was in the room that night.

A delightful joyful playful romp in the safest of comedy clown hands.

****

Reviewed by Stephen “Sharpie” Sharp
Pleasance Dome
Until 30th August (not 19th)
20.10 (1 hour)