The High Preist
The High Preist

The High Priest: They're Gonna Crucify Me!

1/5 stars
Review by Bernard O'Leary.
Published 17 August 2012

Oh, edgy comedians. There's nothing wrong with being dark and satirical, in fact that's where standup is usually at its most powerful and transformative. The problem is with people who've mainlined Bill Hicks DVDs and think that mind-blowing comedy can be achieved by simply shouting "abortion!" and "child rape!" and accusing public figures of sucking various kinds of cock. The High Priest actually hits that last note so hard that it underlines deep homophobia under the general meme of cocksucking being a base, submissive act (so thanks to him for challenging one social convention, even if it's by accident).

His longer rants are all derivative, with a bit on advertising that's pure Hicks, the pointlessness of suburban life which is basically a plot synopsis of American Beauty and his big closer, a 'shocker' about abortion which was funnier and more shocking when South Park did it. Stuff we've heard a million times before is delivered with the belief that our tiny bourgeois minds are being blown by his truths. They're not. He's a good performer and actually a really talented songwriter, but he needs to come to terms with the fact that modern audiences are not easily shocked, although they are easily bored.

Comments (3)

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  • I saw this show yesterday. Thankfully I didn't read this review beforehand. It's really annoying when a reviewer just lambasts a performer because of their own personal beliefs on what comedy is. For anyone else who reads this skewed review - the High Priest is offensive, political and very pornographic. If that's your thing then you will love it. I laughed so much yesterday I cried. Yes, he points out things about society that most of us know. Which comedian doesn't tell us stuff we already know? The fact is a good comedian makes it funny and delivers it so well that it resonates with us so much we laugh at the stupidity of life. If somebody can make me do that and I go away thinking that some of what I've seen really resonates with my life, then I'd say the High Priest is doing what he has set out to do. I took some friends to this show and was worried that the content might be offensive to them. On leaving we all said how funny it was. The Banshee Labyrinth cinema was full and laughter was audible throughout.

    So what if he has an air of Bill Hicks about him? Nobody can do jokes or humour similar to Bill Hicks?

    The free Fringe performers put a lot of effort, time and money into their shows and often end up out of pocket for the "opportunity" to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. I for one would rather support performers like the High Priest who aren't towing the polite comedy line like mainstream Fringe acts. Acts like this are the reason the Fringe was established.
    It seems we're forgetting that now that the festival has turned into a behemoth of big money making acts.

    As for reviewers, well, it's easy to write a scathing review when you don't like something - but remember kids, a reviewer is spouting a personal opinion. It's not easy to put yourself on the line to do some pretty ballsy comedy and do it all without pay.

    We should support the free Fringe performers because they represent the true spirit of the festival.

    If you don't want to be offended and don't have an open mind, then don't see the High Priest. If you like raw comedy with top music thrown in then get down and see him.

    Posted by Martha | Sunday 19 August 2012 @ 08:30

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  • Bill Hicks never talked about child rape... His best stuff weren't even his punchlines, it was his associations, his parenthetical talk, the stuff unscripted.

    Posted by Matt | Tuesday 11 September 2012 @ 18:53

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  • This is what you can take from this shitehawk review Kai

    "He's a good performer and actually a really talented songwriter"

    And add the classic punchline of all 1 star reviews "A STAR"

    Posted by Fr O'Malley | Saturday 23 March 2013 @ 00:34

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