UNDERGROUND MONK SHOW @ Assembly George Square
The word-of-mouth clown hit from Max Baumgarten, Dee Marcucci, John Norris and Claire Woolner returns in grand fashion, and to great success
Ah, the tan, limber clowns of the West Coast with their curly, curly locks. Max Baumgarten, Dee Marcucci, John Norris and Claire Woolner are assembled here for the return of UNDERGROUND MONK SHOW, a word of mouth work-in-progress hit in 2024 and 2025, back this year in the larger space of Assembly's Piccolo tent.
The opening of the show is an absolute joy – the audience can relax, recognising the presence of masters. The elaborate silliness around the large tupperware bowl that will be the portal to other worlds is gorgeous, as is the unveiling of each member from the hoods that obscure their faces and the well-meaning but clumsy kisses they shower upon each other.
That pleasure is largely sustained. Each of the four have their own turn in the world through the 'water bowl thing', each with a delighting, defining gesture in each sequence. Woolner's dogged attempts to flip up Baumgarten's habit; Baumgarten's imaginary stair climbing; Marcucci's elaborate descent from a table; nearly every expression on Norris's face.
A quality of randomness seems part of the clowning ethos, and that's certainly the case here, but the ending pulls it all together. Catastrophe strikes and the magic of the water bowl ceases, but disaster and grief swiftly makes way for an absurd new beginning. The beaming joy of the audience member drawn into the heart of the narrative is truly a sight to treasure, testament to the group's spirit of play.
UNDERGROUND MONK SHOW, Assembly George Square Gardens (Piccolo), until 30 Aug (not 17), 10.15pm, £14.50-17.50