Doctor Brown – Befrdfgth: Fringe Review

Laughter is the Best Medicine

5/5

Following last year’s acclaimed Edinburgh show Becaves, Doctor Brown returns for another hour of sublimely surreal alternative comedy. Part mime act, part clown, Doctor Brown – real name Philip Burgers – delivers a unique brand of physical comedy that guarantees to stretch the imagination, as well as the abdominal muscles.

Having trained at the renowned clown-theatre school École Philippe Gaulier, Burgers has developed an act that defies convention, forcing his audience to reconsider what constitutes a comedy show. In a twisted take on observational comedy, he enacts everyday mundane scenes, yet it is his timing and positioning of these scenes that mark his brilliance. To the audience they appear to be an assortment of bizarre episodes presented as physical non-sequiturs but is clear that behind the seeming chaos there is remarkable structure. Dubious early actions appear clear when later alluded to, heightening their comic effect.

Undoubtedly and unashamedly silly, Doctor Brown speaks to the inner child within his audience. He breaks down the adult inhibition that usually acts as a defense mechanism, allowing you to give yourself wholeheartedly into the show and the character.

With an uncanny ability to have you in involuntary fits of laughter, Doctor Brown isn’t just highly recommended, he’s an absolute must.

Taken from Broadway Baby, published Aug 2012.