For another year running, Perth is honoured with the opportunity to watch Samuel Dugmore play his most iconic character, Manbo. Having seen this show advertised just about everywhere, this reviewer thought it was about time to give it a go and my goodness, aren’t I pleased!
With a recognisable and borderline-offensive, rambunctious American accent (not actually offensive though – I checked with my New Jersey guest!), Manbo is a quizzical concoction of 80s icons all mashed up into one glorious being. His semi-permanent Blue Steel expression keeps the character as Dugmore skillfully utilizes his boundless energy and expert, yet aggressive, clownery to transport you on an action-packed journey of inner discovery.
Will Manbo have enough medically induced strength to overthrow the enemy? Will he catch the generic James-Bond-villain-type baddy with the questionable Russian accent? Will he find the flirtatious courage to use his toxic masculinity and mansplaining capability to get the babe? Will Manbo be the one true hero able to save the world from mass destruction? The only way to know is to get yourself a seat at the show – you won’t regret it!
From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted with a prop that you’re told you’ll need later in the show. Positive yet anxious bubbles immediately boil away inside you as throughout the hour you’re left constantly on the edge of your seat with anticipation. But when will I use my prop? How do I take a sip my beverage whilst holding this? Why did I take more than one of these props? What was I thinking?! I’m so stoopid! How will I possibly clap with both hands with this prop? I can slap my thighs instead but will they be loud enough for this applause? Do my woop woops make up for my lack of claps that I can’t make because I’m holding the thing that I might need but I don’t know when exactly and I don’t want to put on the floor in case I need it in the next moment and I’m enjoying the show oh so much that I don’t want to miss out on using the prop if it’s on the floor in case it runs away from me at the very most crucial moment?!
Perhaps I thought a little too much about this prop, but honestly, it grabs the audience’s attention from the very start of the show and makes you all uber duper keen for what’s to come. And don’t worry - you’ll definitely use the prop before the end of the show!
Dugmore is an expert of pantomime humour and slapstick, physical comedy. His tomfoolery and superb clowning ability have you in stitches and no matter where you’re seated, audience participation is highly encouraged and almost obligatory throughout the show. This interactive hour of fun was an absolute joy. If you’re still not sure and my description isn’t clear enough, in the words of Manbo himself: “It’s a mime show, ar$ehole!”