With a rapid fire delivery of erudite elocution Desmond O’Connor brings you a selection of his greatest comedic songs told as a semi narrative about personal self loathing and the things people do to cope. He is joined by Sarah Louise Young and Jim Deveraux who act as self satire of the entertainers mask and provide the breaks needed to allow the audience to refresh from O’Connor’s more frantic delivery. O’Connor progresses through various masks with each creating a faux-narrator out of a portion of his personality. Each persona carries enough of an independent style that is almost a separate act but together they built to create a finale that is simply amazing in its comedic simplicity.
The essence of Desmorphia is a mix of dark humour and simple sentimentality. Even when dealing with some of the stranger and darker aspects of life like Pro-anorexia couples there is the underlying desire for everyone to be happy. No crutch to modern living remains standing as the show progresses through alcohol, narco-therapy and disposable sex partners in short order. For many performers the content would be too over the top to deliver well but O’Connor’s delivery gives it the perfect genteel air that makes his lewder comments instantly forgivable. As you watch the hours simply disappear as you laugh at his songs and even his sadder works his witty wordplay will have you smiling to yourself. Thoroughly enjoyable this is a must see.
4/5 
Benn Beaton
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