Love and laughter with Mark SampsonFiona Gordon09/08/2009 11:32:55 
Love and laughter with Mark Sampson Review by Fiona Gordon: Mark Sampson negotiates us around the board of the ‘snakes and ladders’ of his life, and others, with laughter, and a numbers game on the side. Each toss of the oversized, inflatable dice brings with it an outcome specific to that performance, so although the basis remains the same, much of the show depends on audience response, and an element of chance. And his skill is shown, in dealing with what is thrown at him. Sampson has an instant, and honest, rapport with his audience, and it is maintained throughout the two hour show, as he asks us to laugh at and look within ourselves. And yet one feels ‘safe’ enough to do so – so safe in fact, he managed to get an entire Camps Bay audience in a group massage to the soulful sounds of Barry White; and for a fun finale - the whole front row on stage dancing like Michael Jackson and Michael Flatley. On a range of topics, from childcare to construction, and the wondrous dangers of beer goggles and fear goggles and swimming in the ocean; Sampson has his audience attentive. He manages to strike just the right balance between very funny and very deep, as he talks of ladders of love and snakes of sorrow, life as a SNAD, and the immense power of humour and touch. And speed bumps. Any sort of journey needs to have speed bumps. He certainly does appear to be a bit of a strange character – it’s not every day one sees bright blonde dreadlocks, and certainly not on a middle-aged man! But by the end of the show, I feel such affinity with him. I really do like shows that make me think. But the fact that he could make me laugh as well, and really laugh, gets many points from me! Mark Sampson Feels Funny plays at The Theatre on the Bay until 19 September, with performances beginning, in true Cape Town fashion, at 8pm-ish. But beware, that if he notices you walking in late, and he will, you will bear the brunt of some of his sharp wit. Tickets cost R100 and can be booked through Computicket. Fiona Gordon fiona@artslink.co.za © Artslink.co.za 1997 - 2010. All Rights Reserved |
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