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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
First-class comedian: Rhod Gilbert
Edinburgh comedy: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Rhod Gilbert came within a whisker of winning the 2008 if.comedy award, so who can blame him for returning to the Fringe fray with a new set that follows the same template of massively magnifying life’s little irritations?
For anyone who enjoyed that show there may be some déjà vu but there will also be plenty of chuckles.
The Carmarthen-born clown’s stock-in-tirade is vein-pumping, apoplectic anger. Last year he fulminated against duvets and mince pies, this year it is vacuum cleaners and smoothies. Why are there so many different varieties of suction devices when all he wants is something to pick up dust?
Why does the twee writing on the side of certain smoothie cartons sound like it was written for simpletons?
Gradually he generates such a head of steam one fears that he might combust. Despite feeling contrived it is a thrilling performance that carries the audience along on a wave of sympathetic recognition.
As it should — who has never been driven to despair by jargon-spouting salesmen? The irony, of course, is that Gilbert’s gripes might depress him but airing them onstage is doing wonders for his career.
Until 31 August ( www.edfringe.com). Hammersmith Apollo 20 November (www.myspace.com/rhodgilbertcomedian).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
