Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

Given the title and the vow to ‘make music great again’ you might expect some blunt satire here. But beyond showing what happens when a monstrous egotist is given power – and a fairly gentle sideswipe at Brexit – Boorish Trumpson sidesteps overt politics for modern clowning.

The title character is a stand-in rehearsal conductor, taking up the baton to whip us, the orchestra playing Last Night of The Proms, into shape.

As with almost every show from a Gaulier or Lecoq trained clown, the performer intimates they want the audience to do something without properly explaining what it is. Cue confusion and encouragement or exasperation from the stage.

So far, so boilerplate. But what makes this show is Claire Parry’s phenomenal performance. When the symphony is in full flow she leaps around like a possessed dervish, a manic blur of flailing limbs and wild hair.

When calm, she has the composed air of a young Emma Thompson, but then her passion will erupt in a burst of intensity, for better or worse. Either full of rapture for the way Trumpson is ‘improving’ Mendelssohn or fury at how our incompetence is ruining his unique vision.

All this firepower is aimed at an undeservingly small audience of fewer than 20 in a room that seats 15 times this many. With those numbers, the odds are that you will be selected for special attention. Most of the tasks are benign, the participation-averse will be pleased to know, taking you Back To School percussion lessons. However, one or two other roles could place you at risk of displeasing the mercurial Trumpson, however gently you try to tread. 

Even if you evoke his displeasure, however, the tone is ultimately playful as we come together for a crescendo of musical fun.

• Boorish Trumpson is on at Assembly Roxy at 2.30pm until August 29.

Review date: 26 Aug 2021
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Assembly Roxy