Richard Herring: Hitler Moustache

05 February, 2010

by: Padraigryan

Stand-up comedian Padraig Ryan reviews Richard Herring's latest show.

I’ve never seen Richard Herring perform before, I’ve never seen any of his old TV appearances, and I’ve never even watched a clip of him on YouTube.

That’s how I like to do things. I know some background information on this man, he was part of the Lee and Herring double-act, (and I loved Stewart Lee’s performance the week before in the same theatre, in the same seat). I know that Mr. Herring did not make it onto Channel 4’s 100 greatest stand-ups list, the same list that encouraged me to go and see Stewart Lee in the first place, and I know that Richard Herring had performed 25 consecutive Edinburgh shows (Thank you Wikipedia).

So I have an expectation going in, that it won't be as good as Stewart Lee’s gig (which was the best live gig I’ve been to in about two years), but I expected a very high level of quality. I don’t know what style of comedian he is, what he sounds like, or even what he looks like, except for the posters which make him look like Hitler. If I’m being honest, I think going in that he'a going to do a character performance as Hitler, or an extreme fascist. I enjoy all types of comedy so I was open-minded going in, excited, and slightly hungry.

But all is explained in the free programme provided upon entry; this show is focused on Hitler’s moustache, and the common perceptions surrounding it, as opposed to a character representation of the Fuhrer. The show is about Richard Herring’s attempt to reclaim the toothbrush moustache for comedy – the Chaplin moustache, and allow him to ridicule fascism, racism, and in particular the BNP, whilst doing so.

It is a brilliant show; engaging and well thought-out, from a man who is sickeningly talented. The part of the show breaking down racism and examining it closely was pure genius, and I can’t praise that part enough; it was as funny as it was thought-provoking – beautiful stand-up comedy.

The show isn’t without its faults. It lacks energy at times and there are low points during the 90 minutes when he summarises people’s reactions to his moustache; to summarise - they didn’t care.

But the good heavily outweighs the bad and the 150 or so in the crowd seem to 'thoroughly enjoy it' - (to paraphrase Cheryl Cole every week on The X-Factor). This is the level which stand-up comedy can rise to and it gives me hope; for me it was like a schoolboy footballer watching a Premiership match – this man has 25 years of experience and if in 20 years I’m that good, I will be a lucky and quite rich man, with great hair.