Ross Noble - Cranium of Curiosities is a whiplash-inducing rollercoaster of comedic chaos. This isn't your typical comedy show with a bare stage, microphone stand, and stool. On the contrary, Noble’s comedy style is more of a high-octane fever dream.
For a start, set design was a visual feast - think country-town carnival, featuring inflatable clown caricatures of Ross Noble and vibrant LED signage. This surreal setup perfectly mirrored his comedic style, marked by spontaneity, absurdity, high-energy performances, and unfiltered creativity. The show’s title perfectly captures the essence of this performance, a celebration of off-the-cuff comedy that thrives on the unpredictable curiosities that reside within Noble's mind.
Being immersed in this show was like embarking on a chaotic safari of spontaneous characters, aboard a bus of hyperactive children - each of which are vying for attention to relay several stories simultaneously, all the while 54 browser tabs are open and music seems to be coming from (at least) three of them. The fast-paced, physical performance with seemingly never-ending tangents left no space for awkward lulls or pauses for applause. The consistent audience laughter highlighted that the journey itself (e.g. impersonations, banter, storytelling), not just the destination (i.e. punchlines), was key to the show's appeal.
A standout feature of Noble's show is his seamless interaction with the audience, where improvised conversations and heckles are woven into the performance, creating a unique, real-time experience. His talent for transforming the mundane into the absurd sets him apart, as he masterfully weaves together unrelated subjects such as peanuts, sharks, and true crime podcasts, through improvisational theatre, musical comedy, and physical performance. The unpredictable twists and turns kept the audience fully engaged and on the edge of their seats. As advertised, "what the show will be about is anybody’s guess," and no doubt, no two shows will be the same. One thing is for certain, however, punters will be met with a front-row seat to a filter-free, live-action production of Ross Noble's inner workings, and that is a spectacular thing to behold.
Ross Noble - Cranium of Curiosities is a must-see for the comedically adventurous. Be ready for a wild, unpredictable ride, and those that can keep up are in for an evening of pure delirium and unadulterated entertainment.