Fringe review: MARK VIGEANT: THE BEST MAN SHOW, Assembly George Square
We have all experienced the excruciating moment at a wedding when the Best Man is required to speak, to thank the bridesmaids and provide some humorous insight into the character of the groom. This provides the setup for a highly interactive one-man show in a shipping container in a parking lot behind a school.
Mark Vigeant plays Paul, Charles' brother, who has just entered into a polyamorous thrupple with Paige and Carrie. As the handbill reveals, if you sit in the front row, you will be forced into playing the wedding guests. Even if you need to sneak out for a toilet break, you will be drawn into the speech.
Paul is steadily getting drunk, spraying beer over the front row and himself (thankfully it was water), and his behaviour becomes more erratic and threatening until he breaks .
The highlight of our late night visit was Ella who nearly stole the show when asked to dress as a cat, sing and dance to a TS Eliot style poem. Of course, with so many artistes in Edinburgh, there is a strong chance that who he picks for the role will grab the chance to shine as she did.
This show is a one-man production that combines improv in an immersive world. If you are ready to be part of that scene, we can recommend booking into the container and throwing yourself into Paul's world.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne