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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Chris Wiegand

Underground Monk Show review – hysterical visions enrobed in mystery

Actors from Underground Monk Show embrace and laugh together in dark robes on stage
Giddy spirit … Claire Woolner, Max Baumgarten, D Marcucci and John Norris in Underground Monk Show. Photograph: Jennifer Forward-Hayter

‘Anyone ever been born before?” That’s a rare bid for relatable crowd work in this buzzy, bizarre hour by a bunch of cowled Los Angeles clowns-cum-monks, nominated for Edinburgh’s best comedy newcomer award. We witness the birth of one, umbilical cord held by the others, with a “goo goo ga ga – G’day!” greeting gurgled by D Marcucci as the mercurial newborn.

But everyone on stage seems to be discovering their body for the first time. John Norris is half-fascinated, half-frightened, on removing his robe’s hood, to realise he has a bushy moustache. Claire Woolner and Max Baumgarten are not just finding their voices but simply getting used to having a tongue in their mouths.

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