It could be suggested that comedians playing in 600-seater venues isn’t very Fringe, but if anyone has earned the right to play to the grandeur of the Assembly Rooms” Music Hall it’s Rich Hall. He’s trod the boards of some of the dingiest venues in town, paid his dues and won the Perrier, but, despite his pedigree, you can’t help but feel he’d rather be back in the Pleasance.
While Hall has no problems reaching a massive audience, it is clear that he’d rather have a smaller focus group. Far from having a fear of crowds, he is definitely a people person and simply works better with a smaller crowd. To be honest, that’s a bit of a misnomer, as, while definitely friendly, he likes to toy with his audience.
Most of it is harmless, but show him a sign of weakness and he’ll go for it. His lightning fast reactions and unchartable intelligence make him a formidable improv, but the intensity is lost in the cavernous expanse of the Music Hall. Instead we are left with a slightly diluted Hall.
This is not to say that the rest of his material isn’t entertaining. His anti-US/Bush/Blair diatribe is unquestionably intelligent and insightful, but it lacks the cutting sardonic wit he became famous for. Maybe he’s tired against raging against an ever-growing machine, or simply just tired, but it’s clear that this isn’t the Rich Hall we used to know.
3/5
Richard Biggs
