thu 28/03/2024

Phil Nichol, Soho Theatre | reviews, news & interviews

Phil Nichol, Soho Theatre

Phil Nichol, Soho Theatre

Canadian comic explores (very) dark side in the guise of his poetic alter-ego

'Don't spoil it with applause!': Phil Nichol as manic beat preacher Bobby Spade
How far is too far? That’s the question which underlies the nihilistic versifying of Bobby Spade, white-suited barfly bard, the laureate of oedipal self-loathing who swims in a miasma of misogyny. Spade is the deeply strange, deeply funny creation of Phil Nichol. In this show the no doubt decent Nichol doesn’t get a look in. Where Rich Hall brings on his alter-ego Otis Lee Crenshaw in the second half, Nichol comes on as Spade and goes off as Spade. And, boy, does he go off.
How far is too far? That’s the question which underlies the nihilistic versifying of Bobby Spade, white-suited barfly bard, the laureate of oedipal self-loathing who swims in a miasma of misogyny. Spade is the deeply strange, deeply funny creation of Phil Nichol. In this show the no doubt decent Nichol doesn’t get a look in. Where Rich Hall brings on his alter-ego Otis Lee Crenshaw in the second half, Nichol comes on as Spade and goes off as Spade. And, boy, does he go off.

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Saw him last night. Worst piece of sh*t I have ever seen. How does this guy even have a job as a comedian, I don't know?

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