Review – Simon Keck: Let’s Write a Book
‘Let’s Write a Book’ is all about experimentation. An interesting mashup of a comedy show and participatory literary event, there’s some rough edges and plenty of opportunity for it to all go horribly wrong, but that’s the point. Simon Keck has constructed a show that is built around the idea of it not quite being built yet and he’s done a good job of it, too.
The Forum Theatre’s ‘Carpet Room’ is a good spot for this show despite its small size, since a bigger venue might have made the crowd feel less able to directly participate in the show and that would have killed it outright. Not to mention that Keck’s feedback method of throwing scrunched up paper at him when you’re enjoying a bit would have been less practical if the back rows of the crowd were out of easy throwing range.
Speaking of the paper throwing, it adds an interesting dynamic to the show to visibly see when a joke lands particularly well for someone, even if it is potentially distracting for Keck… Although, that sense of risk does add to the fun, right?
If I must be critical of one thing, it’s the use of the recorded voice. It’s a solid idea and the gradual escalation of it is cool, but seems to come along all at once relatively late in the show. Some experimentation with pacing might give it a slightly less tangential feeling.
Overall, it’s a great idea and a lot of fun to be involved in, so get out there and get ready to throw some paper, because the material’s worth some ballistic appreciation.
Simon Keck is performing every night except Mondays until April 20th.
