DVD/Book reviews...

Richard Herring: Hitler Moustache

2010/10

Herring's on the loose again!

A veteran of such great ‘90’s comedy shows (along with his erstwhile partner Stewart Lee) as “Fists Of Fun” and “This Morning With Richard Not Judy”, Richard Herring may not have been seen so much on our screens for a few years, but he has kept producing and performing stand-up shows at a rate that puts most comedians to shame and is only matched by the rate at which he has produced both hair and body fat at the same time. “Menage A Un”, “Christ On A Bike”, “Oh Fuck I’m 40” and “The Headmasters Son” are all excellent shows, but last years’ “Hitler Moustache” caused considerable controversy thanks to some predictably outraged newspaper reviews. Now it’s available on DVD, you have the chance to assess it for yourself. “Hitler Moustache” sees Herring, a self-described “wooly liberal”, challenge the preconceptions of virtually everyone by growing a moustache in the style of the fascist dictator – and, as he points out, the devoted anti-fascist Charlie Chaplin - to see how people will react to him and how it will change his life. The resultant torrent he spews forth include his brilliant musings on topics such as why liberals are more racist than racists, how he almost ruined his parents 50th wedding anniversary and why we need to vote. Never afraid to turn the spotlight on himself, or individual members of the audience, one highlight features him audaciously arguing with himself for ten minutes about whether he is better than Carol Thatcher, to hilarious effect. His delivery is unusual; he speaks quickly and almost constantly, seeming initially to babble and overall coming across like a mirthsome but slightly infuriating child who won’t either stop chattering or be told when it’s wrong; but once you join his flights of fancy, you find yourself swept along almost inexorably. It is these qualities of his delivery which help the more serious parts of his message (mostly here concerning not judging a book by its cover, and to vote against the BNP) to enhance rather than detract from the overall entertainment on offer. With a ninety-eight minute show and a few unusual extras (a gallery of submitted photos of people sporting the fake moustaches he hands out at the end, ten minutes where he comes out in the half-time break and talks to the audience while they change the tapes in the cameras and an extended advert from the distributors featuring 30 minutes of stand-up from a variety of performers including Robin Ince, Stewart Lee and Herring himself) this is a hefty package and good value. It’s also very, very funny, occasionally outrageous, and comes to some extremely worthy conclusions. So, if you’re a fan, and you can’t wait for “Christ On A Bike: The Second Coming”to come to your town (or indeed if you’re not and you weren’t aware that it might) give “Hitler Moustache” a watch and make your own mind up.

EDDIE THOMAS

http://www.subba-cultcha.com/film-reviews/article.php?contentID=21731