Frank Sidebottom Calling Review

Where Billy Bragg meets Monty Python for a pint.

The 4 John's are from Hull, a place I hold dear to my heart and have a history with, It’s wonderful to see them here at the Midlands fringe, now in its second year bringing ‘local talent’ form all over the country to Wolverhampton and the Black Country, so we get to enjoy acts we’d probably never know existed, in lovely venues local to us at pay as you feel events.

The front of the Qattery in Wolverhampton has been turned into an office of sorts, where fax machines and letters and messages are received in various ways. They are then judged, acted upon, acted out and ridiculed, very skilfully by the main players in this performance.

It's difficult to know where to start as this act circles in on itself several times using different mediums and ways to share sketches of comedy, poetry, political views and ridiculousness, over and over again, a job shared between the three main players. I assume these are 3 of the 4 Johns. We don't actually meet the fourth John officially, though a version of Frank Sidebottom enters the stage numerous amounts of times for reasons I won't share, but I’m going to guess he’s number 4.

This act is a mini circus, filled with wonderful choreographed comedy played off in different scenarios. And of course, no one is safe.  From Danny Dyer to Bruce Forsyth, from Jamie Oliver to Tony Blair, everyone is fair game and used to launch a poem, a conversation, a political satire or simple silliness, which may or may not result in a red card. 

I won't be ruining this for anyone by sharing any other details of the act, but I'd strongly recommend going to see this show if you get the opportunity. 

Its full-on high-energy satire, sharing of many views and opinions, some of which are silly and some serious, many thought-provoking, but always filled with heart and enthusiasm.  It’s where Billy Bragg meets Monty Python for a pint.