EDINBURGH 2012: BWW Reviews: ASHER TRELEAVEN: TROUBADOUR, Gilded Ballon, August 15

To call the audience sparse at Asher Treleaven's Troubadour would be an understatement. I think he learnt the names of roughly half the audience; with a further member of the audience a respected musical musician needing no introduction. It was the presence of this comedian that meant I was more under the impression this was going to be a hidden gem rather than awful show. The poor attendance was baffling, Treleaven has already received numerous positive reviews. And why wouldn't he? He's funny and clever, a born perform and not to mention being very skilled with the Diablo!

There were just me and one other person in my row, this gives an indication of how thin on the ground the audience was. Though he brought attention to the poor attendance he did not let it put him off and he managed to reward those brave, clever, or lucky enough to have shown up with a delight of a show.

In setting the theme of the penis-ially orientated show he describes it as a 'grower not a show-er'. The show that is, not his penis. Practically every section has something to do with his or someone's genitals. Don't hold that against him, it's not in a crass well trodden way - I wouldn't warn my mother against it if she thought to attend. He is not using the topic of genitals to draw cheap laughs it is just that much of his involves them in some respect.

The show tells the story of Asher's - not actually at all - boring life; familiar fuel indeed but executed with the help of a beat poem, a diablo and hats. The show is structured around Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats Method as Treleaven thought he would need its assistance in order to make the topic of his life stretch out for an hour. He is underselling himself but he uses the hats cleverly to create a well structured show that is both funny and charming.

Asher Treleaven: Troubadour is on at 16.30 every day at the Gilded Balloon. 

 

 

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