You get the feeling Steve Hughes is on the cusp of greatness. There is also the feeling that, if said greatness was achieved, he would probably tell it to f**k off.
You will not see a more hilarious and passionate act at any festival. The show opens with snippets of former broadcasts concerning war and patriotism, before segueing cutely into the Happy Days theme tune. An anti-establishment tone is quickly set.
However, as Steve graces the audience with his presence he is quick to state he doesn’t hate Americans, lest we forget it is issues of war, state, nationalism and such-like that have his ire.
The audience can forgive such weighty subject matter, as the jokes flow thick and fast. Paradoxes are offered, such as the idea of “a nazi gift shop in Israel”, or the vision of Goths’ melting in Australia, which “just ain’t pretty”. The only downside may be that at times Hughes is a little too passionate, and the audience is in danger of being disconnected.
For every lull though, there is a belly laugh. Dabbling in existentialism and convincing us that “white man is the real terrorist”, Steve Hughes is a political and comedy force that must be seen and heard.
5/5
Phil Owens
