The Fringe version of The Man with the Flaming Battenburg Tattoo is about an hour long and that feels about the right length of time for the routine.
A film begins the set by showing a short video of Rhod getting the tattoo. It’s connected to a TV series that featured him doing different jobs and sold on the idea he shouldn’t work as a tattoo artist without actually having a tattoo himself.
As Gilbert takes the stage he explains two things and one of which is that he didn’t really want the tattoo. The second item is a black anger management diary.
It seems Rhod has learnt his lesson, has gone to anger management and is determined to be a less argumentative person.
This is the set up for a cleverly crafted story, and woven together with hilarious strands of comedic frustration.
We get to follow Gilbert on his journey of self-discovery as he also attempts a make or break journey with his long suffering girlfriend.
Gilbert is a master of presenting stories. His character is full on and engaging. It’s all too easy to imagine him in each and every fight. Worst and best of all it’s all too easy to find yourself supporting him through each contrary, stubborn but well observed conflict.
There’s an art to the chaos. As the first examples of bad behaviour begin to come together the journey rapidly takes on steam. In no time at all we’re left on the edge of our seats, leaning forward with cautious optimism as we eagerly wait to discover how it all worked out and why Gilbert is sticking to his new anti-anger regime.
In a lovely catch some of the best laughs might be for the outro mini movie. With it we have more than just closure – we have a reminder that we should expect to see more and more of Gilbert on our screens.
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