BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY
Soho Theatre
★★★★
“clever, funny, and meticulously crafted”
Adam Riches said of this show that the aim is for the audience to “walk into a room where you genuinely don’t know what it’s going to be” and as that, the show is a resounding success. Though you also walk out not knowing quite what you’ve watched.
Adam Riches and John Kearns are Edinburgh Fringe legends, and beloved faces on the comedy circuit. Kearns is regularly cited by other stand-ups as being their favourite comedian. These are two comics who are clearly fascinated with dissecting entertainment, exploring what makes jokes and performances funny. So perhaps in this way it makes total sense for them to impersonate renowned light entertainment double act Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.
I confess that I was unfamiliar with Ball and Boe’s work, but that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the show. Riches and Kearns pored through the history and careers of Ball and Boe, ready to bring their impersonations to the stage. The show is packed with references, and nods to specific Ball and Boe moments. It’s an incredible success that the show works, even if you’re not a fan of Ball and Boe, though I imagine being more aware of their careers would make it even better.
The piece is structured as a pre-show work-in-progress of a national tour, which Ball and Boe are still ironing out. There are musical numbers, snippets of games and formats, and lots of backstage bickering.
Riches plays Ball as a schmoozy, slightly sleazy, slick entertainer with a passionate hatred of Michael Bublé. Kearns brings a tragic desperation and earnestness to his portrayal of Boe which is strangely moving. The performances are respectful, but witty and warm. It’s less caricature and more character acting. Riches and Kearns are both strong actors and bring the men to life with vigour.
The show is clever, funny, and meticulously crafted. It riffs on ideas about the art of the cover song, the fan letters Ball and Boe receive, what kinds of brand sponsorship they might get, and the idea for a new show. It’s silly and fun but the relationship between the men is emotionally real. It’s the first time Riches and Kearns have worked together as a duo, but their chemistry is electric, trusting one another with the limelight and playing off the other’s energy. Perhaps, we’re looking at a future Ball and Boe level partnership.
It’s a fresh and original piece which interrogates the very essence of entertainment. But it’s also packed with solidly good gags, and at its heart is a charming story of two best friends navigating the entertainment industry together.
BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY
Soho Theatre
Reviewed on 12th December 2024
by Auriol Reddaway
Photography by Matt Stronge
Previously reviewed at this venue:
GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF! | ★★★ | September 2024
COLIN HOULT: COLIN | ★★★★ | September 2024
VITAMIN D | ★★★★ | September 2024
THE DAO OF UNREPRESENTATIVE BRITISH CHINESE EXPERIENCE | ★★★★ | June 2024
BABY DINOSAUR | ★★★ | June 2024
JAZZ EMU | ★★★★★ | June 2024
BLIZZARD | ★★★★ | May 2024
BOYS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS | ★★★★ | April 2024
SPENCER JONES: MAKING FRIENDS | ★★★★ | April 2024
DON’T. MAKE. TEA. | ★★★★★ | March 2024
PUDDLES PITY PARTY | ★★ | March 2024
LUCY AND FRIENDS | ★★★★★ | February 2024
BALL & BOE
BALL & BOE
BALL & BOE
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