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Underground Monk Show review – hysterical visions enrobed in mystery

Source: Guardian Culture - Published: 29 Aug 2026 16:01

Assembly George Square Gardens, EdinburghFour clowns stir up a strange stew of ideas about faith in this playful and highly physical comedy‘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. Continue reading...