If you like art and know your painters and artistic movements, you’ll enjoy Isa Bonachera’s Artcoholic and get many good laughs in.
The comedian plays a fictitious character of a Spanish painter, good friends with the famous Spanish architect Calatrava, from whom he gets some great advice. Muchachico, the Spanish painter, and his studio are a good visual gag from the start point and put you in the right mood for laughter. The artist has some strong opinions about other artists and the movements they are recognised for and whether you agree or disagree with him, you are unable to hold back the laughs.
Even when stating how awkward and devoid of mise en scéne costume changes in character comedy shows are, Isa doesn’t shy away from doing it herself and introducing us to some of the famous painters mentioned by Muchachico. Prepare to meet great figures of the history of art and learn a bit more about them and what is not taught in Art History classes.
Getting bums on seats at Edinburgh Festival Fringe is hard, and the Wednesday right in the midway point of the festival was, so far, the day where I’ve experienced smaller audiences in the shows I’ve attended. Isa Bonachera’s show would have benefited from a larger audience to help spice up the energy, but the people in the room were able to enjoy the artist’s commitment to her material and some cheeky visual gags which were whimsical and delightful. It was also refreshing to see a non-native English accent with such a well-written show be part of a festival that sometimes is not great in showcasing diverse voices.
★★★
Isa Bonachera: Artcoholic is at the Just the Tonic at The Caves at 14:40 until 26th August. For tickets and more information click here!
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