Having a red carpet event is a bit out of the ordinary for Fringe! It’s normally just a chaotic mish-mash blur of a month for me, but this one-off midnight screening, ahead of the premier on Netflix, felt a bit different. A bit special.
The question to myself was: “Do I review the Netflix special only, or the experience of the whole night?” It’s pretty clear what I decided (I don’t think anyone else has been this cool, but what can I say?).
Now, it’s time for a confession: I’d never seen a Stamptown show (I know – it’s been 10 years at Fringe, where have I been?!?!) before being invited to this fancy red carpet shindig, courtesy of Netflix and Assembly – but I was very excited to see it!
Described as a “raucous, late-night variety show”, Stamptown is Zach Zucker’s (the self-proclaimed ‘bad boy of clown’) brainchild, with lots of big-name acts having taken part over the years.
Vibe
The vibe of the entire night was red carpet glam mixed with chaos as we first hung out at the private open bar ahead of the show (surrounded by Stamptown posters), with DylanBrand® roving around on rollerskates.
It quickly starts to fill up, and myself and fellow Edinburgh Reviews writer Sophie Cherry take the time to chat with fellow press luvvies before we’re all shown into the Palais du Variété.
Zucher’s alter ego, New York stand-up comedian Jack Tucker, gives an introductory heartwarming speech before the special screening begins – or does it? It does, but the chaotic vibe is there as we question whether it’s actually starting or if the wrong media is playing. In hindsight, this is very much Stamptown‘s vibe.
We’re talking full-on riotous comedy, crazy circus, calamitous clowning, nudity, dance, music, and more – with vibe of the show itself being utterly wild and off-the-chain.
The show itself
Filmed during the Netflix Is A Joke festival at The Montalbán Theatre in Los Angeles earlier this year, the special features all-star guest appearances from the likes of Neil Patrick Harris, alongside Viggo Venn, Jordan Gray, Natalie Palamides, BriTANicK, Courtney Pauroso, Cory Peter Lane, Martin Urbano, Chad Damiani and more! And yes, I did catch blink-and-you’ll-miss-it glimpses of The Master Steffan Haanes!
The acts all bring something completely unique to the show, and it turns into a hotpotch of brilliant entertainment where you never know what to expect next. Some of my favourite parts were the DylanBrand® chaotoic excerpts as the show is filmed in increasingly precarious angles whilst on skates, resulting in many tumbles.
Another big standout of Stamptown for me was Courtney Pauroso as sex robot Vanessa 5000 – she’s completely in character and absolutely hilarious as she asks a man to tell her everything he knows about cryptocurrency and then quickly cuts him off with fake awe at his knowledge.
Neil Patrick Harris is, as always, an absolute delight, and his interactions with Cory Peter Lane’s beer slugging lumberjack character is just outstanding. Chad Damiani has some great interludes, building throughout the show to a satisfying conclusion (which I was glad about).
I can’t possibly mention everyone (because I want to actually get this published not too late) but Jordan Gray finished the show in one of the most incredible performances that I completely was not expecting. Gray brings the trans representation we all needed, with full nudity, beautiful singing AND piano playing – all at once! The ending brought a tear to my eye – what an amazing way to finish!
The afterparty
The afterparty was held at the Assembly Club Bar, and was very fun and fabulous. It was nice seeing familiar faces from the show, and other celebrities who may (or may not) have been on the show at some other point, just mingling and letting loose.
… I also really appreciated the contemporary art sculpture (captured in my video) on display up the stairs and into the quieter part – hidden behind some wooden bars. Let’s call her Marjory – why was Marjory placed in such a spot? Had she been naughty? (She looked a bit naughty)
Overall
The Stamptown Netflix special is incredible, riotous, unhinged and delerious fun – it’s not something you’ll want to miss if you get the chance. What’s more, you can actually watch it right now on Netflix, as it’s now been released! And what an experience getting to watch my first Stamptown show in such circumstances.
It was well past my bedtime when I finally got home, but I just want to say a massive thank you to Netflix and Assembly for inviting us out – we had a blast, and I now consider myself a full Stamptown initiate! I won’t be missing this show when it comes to Fringe next year, either.
Stamptown’s Netflix special screening @ Assembly’s Palais du Variété
Summary
The Stamptown Netflix special is riotous, energetically unhinged, delerious fun, with circus, comedy, and variety acts that’ll keep you highly entertained, and also guessing – and failing – about what’ll happen next! A fabulous fever dream of a show.
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