Zach Zucker: Spectacular Industry Showcase at Soho Theatre
Having brought his show to Edinburgh, the brilliantly extravagant Zach Zucker, professional clown and one half of the duo Zach & Viggo, has returned to London. He concocts one feverish hour of pure chaotic exuberance – audiences should leave modesty at the door and bring in an open mind. The premise (that perhaps gets quickly lost in the sauce of Zach’s chaos) is that of an actor who is trying to network. That actor is inhabited by a set of quirky characters, including a Spaniard, Antonio Bologna (Tony Baloney), and a rapper named Little Penis Johnstone.
Even though his physical comedy and punny jokes might not be for everyone, Zucker’s magnetic charisma and contagious silliness entertain and capture the audience’s attention from the very beginning, with the help of the incredible Lucas Tamaren of Thumpasaurus on keyboards.
The entire room roars the moment the comedian steps on stage, after a musical build-up and hilarious introduction as “the only Jew who did not make it in Hollywood”. He’s a glittery, bare-chested force to be reckoned with, and the stage is his home. He knows how to interact with (and make fun of) his audience, welcoming everyone into his pandemonium and even asking a brave spectator to take his place for a moment, having them dance on stage.
He sings, dances, moves sensually, awkwardly, goofily, and flirts with people (whether “upper-class, middle-class or front-of-house”). He’s unapologetically himself and, love him or hate him, his charisma and passion for what he does is intoxicating. Zucker’s heart resides in his comedy (and, as he would probably say, also in his chest).
The show, however, loses some momentum after the first 30 minutes or so, and could benefit overall from more development and a stronger thread holding all the scattered pieces together. After all, even chaos needs some order and organisation. Nonetheless, it’s an enjoyable 55 minutes, and a great showcase of the comedian’s talent(s). He surely made everyone feel part of his sparkly world – even though, as he, himself, sung to his crowd, the show is mainly about him.
Zach Zucker is the human embodiment of a Porn Star Martini: the cocktail might not be to everyone’s taste, but, with its little shot of prosecco on the side, the sonata of flavours, tanginess, sweetness and fizz is sure to tickle even the most sombre of palates.
Benedetta Mancusi
Zach Zucker: Spectacular Industry Showcase is at Soho Theatre from 17th January until 21st January 2023. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
Watch Zach Zucker at Fast Fringe here:
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