Review – Cow-Boy-Zone: Rick Astley: Male Stripper
When attending a show where half the title is ‘Male Stripper’ certain preconceptions naturally follow. “This is a comedy show, right?” “What’s the ratio of stripping to jokes going to be?” “Can I laugh at that?”
It’s a bizarre concept; chronicling the life story of a male stripper from Essex as he’s toured the world, moved in and out of different performing career paths and dealt with often aggressive audience members, promoters and managers. To piece such a show together, Cow-Boy-Zone must be commended. While it’s not rolling-in-the-aisles hilarious from start to finish, the sheer volume of jokes and puns means many do land very pleasingly. The show has a great narrative flow to it and it never feels stilted; Cow-Boy-Zone knows his material and knows where it’s going.
That being said, some of the material felt a little stale to me. The other half of the title is ‘Rick Astley’, and it’s a key indicator that this show references a lot of 80’s and 90’s pop culture. And while there are the odd modern references thrown in that ‘twerk’, I couldn’t help feel that this was a dusted off concept in desperate need of an update. Channing Tatum would be amiss if he expected a Magic Mike moment. The show is, however, a hell of a lot of fun. There are smatterings of audience participation (as somewhat expected even with a non-comedic stripper), and Cow-Boy-Zone has no hesitation in drawing his audience into his world. If you know your 80’s music you’ll be his best friend.
This is a comedy show. Right. There is stripping amongst the avalanche of jokes. Under 18s need not apply. And yes, you CAN laugh at that.
Cow-Boy-Zone’s Rick Astley: Male Stripper is playing at The Elephant and Wheelbarrow on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30pm, Fridays and Sundays at 8:30pm throughout the MICF.
