Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

The crisis in masculinity is a big problem that needs a big solution. Or maybe just three sketch performers with a penchant for pompous bombast delivered with overblown weightiness.

Big Zeus Energy takes a while to start mocking such self-importance with stupidity, but even then, it often seems a bit too actorly and pleased with itself. 

There are funny moments in this parody of the sort of philosophy which tells men to head into the woods to connect with their true, primal selves - but the laughs frequently feel forced. However, others in the room did buy into the show’s humour more readily than I.

Our three performers – Gaulier graduates Ollie West, Christiaan Hendriksen and Andrew Turowski – enter the room in stick-on facial hair and wearing ponchos. (The titular Zeus does not mean we’re heading to ancient Greek). They intone their mantras for this meeting of the Edinburgh Men’s Circle and explain the travails of modern man trying to find a place in the world. It’s done pretty stone-faced, save for nicking and watering down the Life Of Brian gag in which ‘…or girls’ is added every time someone mentions ‘boys’.

This slow intro sets up the story proper, in which a king of a distant land decrees via a bit more shouty delivery that the jungle-dwelling wild man known as Iron John must be captured, for he knows the secret of masculinity. Shall he despatch his boldest warrior or his useless son? It’s b) obviously. Nepobaby satire!

His Majesty’s proclamations are overwritten in terms of florid prose, like a cod version of a dry historical epic, but underwritten when it comes to actual jokes. When we do get gags, they are rarely worth it. ‘Kneel before your king!’ ‘Who’s Neil?’

Other moments are jollier, especially a nice bit of business involving fighting either side of black backdrop, redolent of Men In Coats for those old enough to remember. The audience are invited to get involved with responding to a series of daft mating calls, which is sweet and a very undemanding form of participation.

The fun the trio are having on stage transfers to the audience in a limited degree, but it still feels like they are doing this more for themselves than for us. The simple story fizzles out, underlining the feeling that the muckabout hour doesn’t amount to much.

Review date: 9 Aug 2023
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Just the Tonic at The Mash House