AMUSEMENTS at the Soho Theatre

★★★★

“light-hearted and bizarre performed with precision and spontaneity”

Amusements opens with Ikechukwu Ufomadu approaching the microphone clutching a teacup with a pained expression and dressed in a tuxedo. Already inciting laughs, he reactively winces at an audience member opening a crisp packet before addressing the intimate crowd of the Soho Theatre. From New York, Ufomadu evokes an old fashioned American host who somehow got a gig entertaining the voices inside someone’s head. Having been developed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, ‘Amusements’ is delightfully weird and hard to define, but enjoyable and entertaining throughout. It is technically a ‘family friendly’ show in terms of content, but definitely not for children. It’s not shouty or obscene; just completely nonsensical and silly. It asks many questions “what is this?” “what did I watch?” Fear not – there’s a (not very) helpful Q&A at the end where the presenter (does not) answer these queries. A lot of the joy of the show is from the sheer unexpectedness of topics. To enjoy the ride, it’s recommended to go in as unprepared as possible. Stop reading this review at once!

Having said that…we are thrown into a wonderfully odd show peppered with impressions, word play and excerpts from “Shakespeare was…the Shakespeare of his time”. Ufomadu dissects the nature of theatre and performer: “I am playing the role of a comedian” projecting the persona of an American television host on the verge of a breakdown who launches into tangents of impersonations of presidents and actors in entirely unpredictable monologues. There’s singing and reading and even an informative power point. The show builds in its hilarity and warms itself gradually, relying on the energy of the audience somewhat. Performed with a trusty microphone, two books and the occasional sound effect ‘Amusements’ fills its hour easily.

Without wanting to spoil the show, be warned: there is audience participation. The same advice to the audience that anyone might give when attending a stand-up show apply: avoid the front, don’t look too scared and don’t try to feed them a joke. Ufomadu plays with the idea of audience and spectatorship by parodying applause and pointing out tropes. Its strange style may not be for everyone. it’s committed to its peculiar tone and does not pander. The wide ranging piece can feel like a stream of consciousness at times, with little holding it to planet earth, however with acceptance of the confusion comes appreciation for subverting expectations. No mention of politics, current events or audience observations, ‘Amusements’ is light-hearted and bizarre performed with precision and spontaneity by Ufomadu.